Marine Nationale

Marine Nationale took another step forward in finishing second behind Solness in the Dublin Chase at the Dublin Racing Festival. Solness got out in front again, just as he did over the same course and distance at Christmas, and they couldn't go with him. Marine Nationale was the only one of the chasers who could get close to him and, when he closed on the run to the home turn, he looked the likely winner, that was probably around about the point at which he traded at 1.19 in-running. In the end, Solness pulled out more, but it was a fine run from Marine Nationale, who was fastest through the final furlong and fastest through the final four furlongs.

Solness may not be getting the credit that he is due, and he is a live player in the Champion Chase picture for sure, but so is Marine Nationale. Barry Connell's horse was an outstanding novice hurdler, winner of the Royal Bond Hurdle and of the Supreme Novices' Hurdle. He had a season to forget last season, after looking so good in winning his beginners' chase at Leopardstown's Christmas Festival last season, but each of his three runs this season have been a step up on what has gone before. He has raced just five times over fences, he is still relatively unexposed over the larger obstacles, and there is every chance that he will be able to take another step forward in the Champion Chase, back on better ground and back at the track at which he put up the best performance of his career to date over hurdles.

Leopardstown, 2^nd February 2025