Barry Connell reports his Queen Mother Champion Chase hero Marine Nationale to be “better than ever” ahead of his planned reappearance in the Fortria Chase at Navan next month.

Unbeaten in bumpers and over hurdles, a run which was rounded off with brilliant victory in the 2023 Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham, the eight-year-old suffered an interrupted first season over fences and was also beaten on his first three outings of last term.