Marine Nationale and Michael O'Sullivan© Photo Healy Racing
Marine Nationale is the star attraction at Naas this afternoon as the Barry Connell-trained gelding seeks to get his career back on track in the Barberstown Castle Chase.
The son of French Navy was unbeaten in bumpers and over hurdles including the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham and made a bright start over fences at Leopardstown last Christmas before things went awry at the Dublin Racing Festival.
“It was very tacky ground at Leopardstown for the Dublin Racing Festival and he just didn’t act on it. He’s a light framed horse with a lot of Flat pedigree in him and nearly all his form is on good or good to yielding ground.
“He possibly just had an off day as well and we were a bit shell-shocked at the time as everything had gone to plan before that,” explained Connell.
“He then had a minor suspensory injury that came to light after the Dublin Racing Festival and we decided we’d give him the rest of the season off.
“It was a minor injury and is fully healed at this stage so that is not an issue going forward.
“Since he has come back in his preparation has been trouble free and we picked out this race a number of months ago as he’s well-treated by the conditions.
“He’s going there in very good shape and we’ll be disappointed if he gets beaten."
Marine Nationale is a general 8/13 chance against four rivals in the two-mile Grade 3 event with Hercule Du Seuil and Quilixios the main threats.
Connell is also looking forward to getting some of his other horses out but like many is being frustrated by the current spell of dry weather.
The Troytown at Navan next weekend was a possibility for My Immortal but he won’t appear for another few weeks as the Nurney trainer explained.
“The ground is not suitable for winter horses at the moment so I’m going to wait for the Porterstown at Fairyhouse. He wants soft ground.
“We have Good Land to come out over fences for a beginners campaign and William Munny over hurdles but both of those want an ease in the ground.
“We are probably three or four weeks away or whenever the rain comes.”
