Connell pleased with Marine Nationale's reappearance despite defeat at Naas

Barry Connell said he was pleased with the performance of Marine Nationale after he made his first on-track appearance in over nine months today in the Barberstown Castle Chase at Naas Racecourse, even though he had to settle for second place behind the Henry De Bromhead trained Quilixios .

The Supreme Novice Hurdle winner at the 2023 Cheltenham Festival hasn’t raced competitively since a disappointing showing at the Dublin Racing at the start of February earlier this year and Connell was content with the showing.

“We’d like to have won it but I’d say the winner is very good.

“We were happy with him, his jumping…he didn’t meet the first two right but he warmed into it and was excellent down the back.

“He’s won a beginners and then probably underperformed in the other race so he probably lacks experience but without him winning, I’d be very happy with it,” said Connell.

The sights are now set on the Christmas Festival at Leopardstown.

“The first two were well clear of the rest and we go now to Leopardstown at Christmas, I can’t see any reason why we wouldn’t. We would have liked to have won it but other than that he acquitted himself very well,” said Connell.