The brilliant winner of the Champion Chase at Cheltenham last month, Marine Nationale will bid to follow-up in the Punchestown equivalent next week.

Placed on his first three starts this season, the Barry Connell-trained eight-year-old was a commanding winner at Prestbury Park, and while his nearest pursuer fell at the last, he ultimately came home 18-lengths clear of Jonbon.

"He has come out of the race brilliant, it's not like he had a race at all, he had no blow afterwards, so we are all set now for Punchestown," Connell reported.

"He didn't go to Punchestown after his novice hurdle season because he had been on the go through the summer and we just gave him a series of mini breaks, but the season was long enough for him.

"This year we are going all guns blazing for the Grade 1 at Punchestown."