Marine Nationale a poignant winner of the Champion Chase

Marine Nationale peaked to perfection in the Champion Chase to secure an emotional victory at the 2025 Cheltenham Festival.

Marine Nationale was the horse that brought the late Michael O’Sullivan to prominence as he won the Supreme Novices' Hurdle at the Festival two years ago.

Under the guidance of Sean Flanagan, Marine Nationale was faultless and pulled away down the home straight after Quilixious fell at the final fence.

A juddering mistake saw the favourite, Jonbon, drop to the back of the field and while victory seemed a world away, he still managed to salvage second under Nico de Boinville.

As Marine Nationale received the biggest reception of the week so far, his trainer, Barry Connell, reiterated just how much he wanted to win the Champion Chase.

“Michael and myself went on a journey with this race,” Connell adds. “It’s an absolute tragedy that he’s left us, but he achieved more than many do in a much longer career. It’s been horrendous these last few weeks, but hopefully that’s a fitting end.”

Champion Chase result

1. Marine Nationale (5/1)
2. Jonbon (5/6F)
3. Captain Guinness (25/1)
4. Solness (12/1)

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Jaquob Crooke

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