Emotional Cheltenham scenes, as Marine Nationale takes Champion Chase crown

There were emotional scenes at the Cheltenham Festival as Marine Nationale honoured the memory of the late Michael O’Sullivan by galloping to BetMGM Queen Mother Champion Chase glory.

O’Sullivan will always be inextricably linked with Barry Connell’s stable star, having steered the eight-year-old to Supreme Novices’ Hurdle success in 2023. And barely a month after the young jockey’s tragic death following injuries suffered in a fall at Thurles, Marine Nationale returned to the Prestbury Park winner’s enclosure once again.

Sent off the 5-1 second-favourite in the hands of Sean Flanagan, Marine Nationale was ridden in mid-pack as dual winner Energumene set off from the front, quickly joined by Quilixios and the forward-going Solness

There was real drama at the fifth-last when Nicky Henderson’s 5-6 favourite Jonbon made an error which ultimately put paid to his chances and the rest of the field sensed the opportunity, as Flanagan moved his mount into the ideal position to strike heading down the hill after three out.

Energumene’s challenge would soon peter out, with Quilixios and Marine Nationale seemingly left to fight out the finish, but having jumped the last in unison, Henry de Bromhead’s charge crumpled on landing, to leave Flanagan and Marine Nationale to soak up the adulation as they headed up the hill for home.

To his credit, Jonbon kept on for second, but he was some 18 lengths adrift of the emphatic winner, who provided the most fitting victor of the day two feature.

Connell said: “It’s very poignant and it’s very raw, the whole thing with Michael over the last three or four weeks has been absolutely horrible and my thoughts and prayers are with the family, his friends and his girlfriend.

“I think this is hopefully a fitting tribute to him.

He went on: “He started as a 7lb claimer with us and I asked him to go pro, he ended up winning three Grade Ones as a claimer, leading rider on the first day (of the 2023 Cheltenham Festival) and leading conditional.

“I’ve asked some of the racing historians and I don’t think they can find anyone else who did all that.

“It’s an absolute tragedy that he’s left us, but he has a record he can be really proud of. He achieved more in his lifetime than a lot of riders who get to ride for a lot longer achieve.

“I’d like to dedicate this win to Michael and his girlfriend Charlotte, who is here.

“Our hearts go out to all his family and his friends and his girlfriend, racing is a great community and gets behind people when things like this happen.”

Flanagan said: “All the jockeys in Ireland, and in England and the rest of the world, have been under a cloud for the last couple of weeks.

“I’m only the man that steered him round today, Michael is the man who made him what he is. He’ll never be forgotten for that.”

He added: “It’s every race, race by race, I made a hash of the last race and I’m just lucky I could get on this lad. He comes alive when he comes here and it’s all credit to all the people back at Barry’s.”