O'Sullivan enthused by Marine Nationale's start over fences Jockey Mikey O’Sullivan added another chapter to his burgeoning career when the exciting Barry Connell trained and owned Marine Nationale won his beginners' chase at Leopardstown's Christmas festival. O'Sullivan spoke to Dave Keena about that victory and Marine Nationale's next appearance in the Grade 1 Goffs Irish Arkle at the Dublin Racing Festival at Leopardstown in February. "It was brilliant (at Leopardstown) - I suppose relief more than anything. A lot of pressure on his first run over fences, but for it to have gone so well was fantastic," the jockey said. "He's such an intelligent horse, you can see him looking at all his fences but I suppose until they go and do it on the track there is still that doubt. He was very, very good. "He really enjoyed it and he has come out of the race well. "It was nice to show people that he is a versatile horse, a straightforward horse. For him to bowl along out in front, it was a lovely performance and, hopefully, he can build on that. "We went a good, honest, even gallop the whole way. I suppose he was a small bit gassy on his first run for a while, but he looked at every fence and he jumped them so well. "He had done a lot of schooling as a young three-year-old with Sam Curling and Derek O'Connor would have ridden him a nice bit, so he got a great education. Luckily enough I was the man to be able to steer him around. "I suppose last year as Barry said, we were under the radar a small bit but this year all eyes are on us. You could definitely feel that in Leopardstown. A Supreme winner on his first run over fences, there was a lot of attention. "Obviously, we were all nervous, but we were happy with his work. He took a lot more work this year and I'd say he will come on from it a lot. "We are looking forward to Leopardstown again the next day. "I suppose it just means you are not totally reliant on good conditions. He has shown us now that he can handle that ground twice or three times in the Royal Bond (at Fairyhouse) and in Leopardstown. The ground in Cheltenham was soft as well. "He's just a very classy individual and I'm lucky to be on his back. "You can see him back riding out during the week with the chest out and in great form." Marine Nationale won the Grade 1 Supreme Novices' Hurdle by three and a-quarter lengths at last season's Cheltenham Festival. He trades at odds-on in the ante-post market for the Arkle at Cheltenham.
