Trainer Anticipates Showdown Between Marine Nationale and Majborough

Barry Connell is eager to see how his horse, Marine Nationale, performs in the upcoming Hilly Way Chase at Cork on Sunday, as he prepares for a potential showdown against Majborough, a horse owned by JP McManus and trained by Willie Mullins. The anticipation is building for an exciting clash later in the season, particularly given that both horses are considered joint favourites for the Champion Chase.

Marine Nationale has established himself as a formidable competitor in the two-mile chase division. He previously secured victories at the prestigious Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham and followed up with another win at Punchestown. Connell noted that if Majborough can navigate the upcoming Hilly Way Chase successfully, fans could see the two horses compete at Leopardstown during the Christmas period and again at the Dublin Racing Festival.

Connell remarked on the potential rivalry, saying, “Majborough could be Marine’s biggest rival and I suppose if he hadn’t made those jumping errors, he could have won the Arkle.” He reflected on the competitive nature of their previous race, where the horses finished closely together. Connell also highlighted that other competitors, such as Jango Baie, L’Eau Du Sud, and Only By Night, have since achieved success, further validating the caliber of their competition.

Majborough’s transition from novice to open company is a significant step, according to Connell. “Majborough is in the same position we were last year; he needs to make the leap to open company whereas we’ve had a year in open company,” he explained. Marine Nationale’s experience is expected to play a crucial role in future races. Connell underscored the importance of gaining experience, particularly for two-milers, where jumping at high speeds can be challenging.

Looking ahead, Connell expressed disappointment about Marine Nationale missing a run at Navan. “It was just a shame Navan got called off the first day and he couldn’t run there in the Fortria,” he stated. He emphasized that the team has a well-structured programme for Marine Nationale, focusing on races that suit his strengths, particularly on better ground.

Connell confirmed that they are not considering the Tingle Creek for Marine Nationale’s upcoming schedule. Instead, the plan is to compete at Leopardstown during Christmas and the Dublin Racing Festival before defending his title at Cheltenham. Connell noted that the proximity of Leopardstown, just half an hour away, makes it an ideal venue for their strategy.

Following a brief rest after the cancelled Fortria race, Connell plans to gradually build Marine Nationale’s fitness, stating, “He won’t do much as he’s a light horse and he’s not that hard to get fit.” Connell takes pride in having both the joint-favourite for the Queen Mother and the third favourite for the Champion Hurdle in William Munny, calling it a remarkable achievement for a small stable. “To have one is a miracle, but to have two is incredible,” he concluded.

As the racing season unfolds, all eyes will be on the Hilly Way Chase, where Majborough’s performance could set the stage for an exhilarating rivalry with Marine Nationale.