THERE were a pair of Irish-bred winners on the opening day of this year’s Cheltenham Festival, with the French-sounding Marine Nationale giving the country a boost with success in the opening Grade 1 Supreme Novices’ Hurdle.

The son of the former Kildangan Stud, now Indian-based, sire French Navy (Shamardal) is out of a mare who was once trained by Sir Henry Cecil. Unbeaten in five starts, including two bumpers, Marine Nationale also won the Grade 1 Bar One Racing Royal Bond Novice Hurdle at Fairyhouse.