Marine Nationale ruled out of the Cheltenham Festival through injury

Twice Cheltenham Festival winner Marine Nationale has been ruled out in a bid to retain the BetMGM Queen Mother Champion Chase at the Festival on Wednesday next, March 11, after suffering a setback.

After claiming the 2023 Supreme Novices' Hurdle when beating Facile Vega under the late Michael O’Sullivan, he missed the 2024 festival when he was pulled out of the Arkle Chase due to a suspensory strain.

The nine-year-old returned to Prestbury Park last year when claiming the Champion Chase with an 18-length success after Quilixious, who was coming to challenge at the final fence, tipped up and fell.

Finishing runner-up to Solness in his first outing this season, the Barry Connell-owned and trained son of French Navy, was comprehensively beaten by Majborough at the Dublin Racing Festival, where he finished 19 lengths behind an impressive winner.

In breaking the news this morning (Tuesday), Marine Nationale’s owner and trainer Barry Connell said: “When we went to see him this morning, he was very sore through his neck. I’m not sure, but he may have got cast (in his box).

“We got the vet in, and the vet put him on pain (relief) medication, and he’s just feeling very sorry for himself.

“If it happened a couple of weeks ago, we might have been all right, but we’re just out of time.

“He’s been the soundest horse we’ve ever trained – he’s never sick, and he’s never lame – but it is what it is.

“We don’t think it’s anything too serious, and we’ll hopefully have him back for Punchestown.”