'Horse of a lifetime' Marine Nationale scores with a swagger in Champion Chase
In truth, it was a masterful performance from the reigning champ, the Barry Connell-trained and Sean Flanagan-ridden Marine Nationale, as he was able to travel behind the blistering early speed and then quicken up to challenge before putting the race to bed.
On a day that reminded all racing fans of just what a puzzle end-of-season action can be, it was a refreshing departure from the upsets of the afternoon as the eight-year-old scored with a swagger.
El Fabiolo had travelled strongly and still held every chance until taking a crashing fall at the second-last, but it was at that point that Marine Nationale had just come back on the bridle and looked to be making a move to win his race.
With that one's departure, he was left to battle with 2024 Champion Chaser Captain Guinness and the speedy Solness, and yet the relatively fresh Marine Nationale quickened away in tremendous fashion to win by seven lengths from Captain Guinness, with Solness in third.
The anticipated battle with Fact To File never materialised as the Ryanair Chase winner struggled to stay with the leaders as they raced beyond halfway and had to settle for a disappointing fourth-place finish.
'You can only beat what's there on the day to be beaten, and he's beaten them well,' said Flanagan. 'I gave him a nudge going down to the second-last and he's winged it and just completely come alive, and I've gone away to the last on the bridle. It generally only happens on horses like him.
'He is the reigning Champion Chaser for now, and we're going to enjoy that. I'm just delighted to be a small part of it.
'Barry holds the horse in such high regard. As he says, he's the horse of a lifetime. I've ridden a lot of horses through the years, and I've never ridden anything like him.
'I've said several times before, I'm riding 20 years and people say, 'why do you still get out of bed and go every day?' and that's why. You're looking for one, just one like him, and I think we've found one.
'It's a big credit to Barry. He knows this horse like the back of his hand, and he was adamant he had improved him. Even from my angle, from riding him, I thought he stepped up massively from Christmas to the DRF, and again to Cheltenham. And they told me there was more in the locker for him to step up again, and I think he's done it.'
Connell, who is an open book when it comes to his horses, was emotional when achieving the lifetime ambition of winning a Champion Chase at Cheltenham and buoyed by this success, is already dreaming of more.
'We're thrilled. This is the horse of a lifetime,' he beamed. 'Our target is to win three and equal Badsworth Boy, who is the only horse in history to win three Champion Chases despite all of the storied horses over the years.
'He won doing a half-speed and I think this horse has all the attributes to be a multiple Champion Chase winner.
'He's only eight and that's his twelfth run. We missed a lot of our novice season last year, so it was a slow build, and I felt the horse had improved with every run and had improved again from Cheltenham - and we were proved right.
'He has no mileage on the clock, and he grows an extra leg in Cheltenham. He's so laid back, goes through the gears and just does enough. He doesn't burn any extra petrol than what he needs.
'He's the most wonderful creature and everybody in the yard has had a huge part to play in this. We only have 13 or 14 horses riding out and we're able to punch at the highest level if we get the ammunition.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The 42
5 hours ago
- The 42
'Connacht helped South Africa to win the World Cup'
IT WAS AUGUST 2007 and the mighty Springboks were in Galway. Jake White's side would go on to win the World Cup in imposing fashion a couple of months later but first, they had a warm-up game against the apparent minnows, Connacht. Michael Bradley's side were expected to be cannon fodder for the beefy, brutal South Africans. But Connacht had other ideas. They'd got wind of a relaxed approach to the game by the visitors. 'I think they were enjoying the culture in Galway a little bit too much,' says Andrew Farley, the Connacht captain at the time. 'We'd heard that they'd been out for a few nights in Galway sampling the local Guinness and stuff like that, so they were a little bit underdone.' Sitting outside the famous Breakfast Creek Hotel in his native Brisbane, Farley smiles at the thought of that game. Connacht lost but it was a battle at the Sportsground that spoke volumes of the province's ethos. The westerners' defence was brilliant and they trailed 3-0 at the break before Andy Dunne's penalty drew them back to within five points in the final quarter. Bismarck du Plessis was sin-binned for throwing a punch in frustration and the Boks had to call on big guns like Bryan Habana off the bench to finally get the job done and squeeze out an 18-3 victory in Galway. 'We helped them win the World Cup, that's what I always tell people,' says Farley. 'That's a great memory of ours in Connacht. It was fantastic.' Farley is part of the Connacht Clan Hall of Fame. James Crombie / INPHO James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO Last Christmas was the first time since leaving the place in 2009 that Farley got back to Connacht for the sole purpose of visiting his old province. He had been in Galway in 2015 with French club Grenoble, where he played and managed after moving on from Ireland, but last year's trip was all about catching up with old friends. Second row Farley played for Connacht more than 150 times during a six-year spell that included two periods as captain, as well as a few appearances for Ireland A, so he has great grá for the place. He is part of the Connacht Clan's Hall of Fame. Farley took great pleasure in catching up with the likes of John Fogarty, Mike McCarthy, Bernard Jackman, Adrian Flavin, Tim Allnutt and many more while he and his family had a mini-tour of Europe, also visiting France and Wales, where his wife, Lucy, is from. Growing up in Brisbane, Farley could never have imagined the west of Ireland would play a big role in his life. He came through Marist College Ashgrove, the same school as the great John Eales, and played for Australia at U18, U19, and U21 levels. The Aussie back row in those teams was George Smith, Phil Waugh, and David Lyons, while Farley played against the likes of Richie McCaw, Mils Muliaina, and the late Jerry Collins in the U21 World Cup final, which New Zealand won. Advertisement Back then in the early 2000s, Australia only had three teams in Super Rugby, so it was tough for a young lock like Farley to break through given that the likes of Eales and Matt Cockbain were so established with his club, the Queensland Reds. Farley had already had two development stints abroad with Italian club L'Aquila and Kiwi side Otago when former Wallabies boss John Connelly called him and asked if he fancied moving to Wales to play for Swansea for another new experience. 'I was a young kid and just rocked up. That Swansea team was a savage team,' says Farley, listing off Scott Gibbs, Colin Charvis, Shaun Payne, Darren Morris, and a young Gavin Henson. Farley only had one season with Swansea and his intention was to go home but he got a call from fellow Australian Matt Mostyn, who was moving from Newport to Connacht in the summer of 2003. Farley carries the ball for Connacht. Dan Sheridan / INPHO Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO Next thing Farley knew, he was on the phone with Michael Bradley, who was taking over in Connacht in the wake of the province's march on Lansdowne Road to protest against the IRFU's plans to shut down the professional arm of the province. 'Michael told me that Connacht had just survived all the troubles that they'd had, that they'd got reinvestment and he asked me to come for a year,' says Farley. 'When he said, 'We've got security now,' I was kind of like, 'Security for what?' 'I didn't know a huge amount about the struggle and it was surprising to me but he sold me on the idea of a new project. Matt was going too and he's someone I'm still mates with now.' Nothing much had changed back in the Reds squad, so Queensland agreed for Farley to spend another year in Europe. He ended up taking over as Connacht captain the following season and spending six years there in total. Galway is certainly different to Brisbane but Farley loved the place, aside from the weather. 'Coming from Queensland, I was softened a little bit by Swansea, but like there's no doubting it – it rains a lot,' he says. 'But at heart, Galway is a very warm city. The people and the culture are great and I thoroughly enjoyed it.' That was a different time for Connacht, well before they could dream of winning the Pro12 as they did in 2013 under Pat Lam. The facilities were certainly nothing near the new high performance centre where Stuart Lancaster's team are now doing pre-season. And the current stadium redevelopment was not even close to being on the cards. The highlights in Farley's time were a few thrilling Challenge Cup runs and though they lost more games than they won, he felt like he fitted in. 'With Connacht, and it's sort of like a Queensland thing, you're always the underdog,' says Farley. Farley played for Ireland A three times. Dan Sheridan / INPHO Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO 'So you sort of use that as, 'Let's go and spoil the party.' I did like that mentality, it's a very similar mentality here in Queensland with the other states. 'There's quite a few Aussies that have gone over to Connacht and really enjoyed it. Canberra boys are used to the weather! Where would Mack Hansen be without Connacht now?' Farley qualified for Ireland on residency grounds in 2006 and the following year, Ireland head coach Eddie O'Sullivan gave him a shout. There were good second row stocks in Ireland with the likes of Paul O'Connell, Donncha O'Callaghan, Malcolm O'Kelly, and Mick O'Driscoll, among others, but Farley was keen and joined the squad for a few training camps and was then picked in the Ireland A squad for the 2007 Churchill Cup in England. It was a good experience playing alongside Johnny Sexton, Luke Fitzgerald, Keith Earls, Mike Ross, Sean Cronin, and some of his Connacht team-mates, but Farley admits it was a big decision to commit to Ireland. 'By choosing to take that path, I was locking myself out of Australia because then I became Irish-qualified and I could no longer obvously come back and play for Australia. 'But you know, I was captain of Connacht at the time and I made the decision and I don't regret it. I had a fantastic time.' Declan Kidney took over as Ireland boss in 2008 and Farley wasn't part of his plans. So when Grenoble made an approach in 2009, Farley's head was turned. He had turned 29 and reckoned he could play on for longer in French rugby. There was an ambitious plan in Grenoble. So it was that Farley and Lucy moved to France together and lived there for nine years, with all three of their children born there. Farley during his time with Grenoble. James Crombie / INPHO James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO Farley played for the club more than 100 times across five seasons, then moved into a management role with Grenoble up until 2018. Initially after retiring from playing, Farley split his duties at Grenoble with working part-time in the club president's global engineering company. That experience proved important for Farley, who works with a company called BuildingPoint Australia these days. Life back in Brisbane is good. The Farley children – Ava, Sophia, and Tom – love growing up in Australia and their dad still has a core group of his old school friends to this day. Farley remains involved with rugby as a big supporter and also through a programme called the C2K Rugby Academy, which supports young players with position-specific training, mentoring, and advice. He has helped a couple of youngsters to find rugby opportunities in Europe through his contacts, knowing as he does that taking on an adventure on the other side of the world can be life-changing. 'I can't thank rugby enough,' says Farley. 'It's not until after rugby, when people mentor you and look after you, that you realise that you've learnt so much from playing. 'There are just so many examples from my career that enable me to be a good leader now. 'You've actually got a diploma in life from playing rugby.'
Irish Independent
15 hours ago
- Irish Independent
Thurles Racecourse closure: Horse Racing Ireland to meet with Molony family
On Friday, owner Riona Molony announced the family's decision to retire from racing at the Tipperary track. An iconic venue steeped in history and tradition, Thurles Racecourse has long been a cornerstone of National Hunt racing in Ireland. Many have now called for Horse Racing Ireland (HR) to step in to ensure horse racing can continue at the course without the Molony family. Responding to that, HRI's CEO Suzanne Eade said that she would be meeting with the family 'to discuss their position'. 'Thurles Racecourse has been a cornerstone of the National Hunt programme in Ireland during the winter months, and today's news was a surprise to everyone in the industry,' she said in a statement. 'I am sure this announcement was a hugely difficult one for Riona Molony, and her daughters Patricia, Helen, Ann Marie and Kate, and I respect their decision to take a step back from running racing at Thurles. 'Riona's husband Pierce contributed significantly to the Irish racing industry for many years and the Molony family, led by Riona, certainly stepped up following his untimely passing. I will be seeking a meeting with the Molony family in the near future to discuss their position.' The first recorded race-meeting at Thurles took place in 1732 and it has been in the hands of the Molony family since the early 1900s. Riona's late father Pierce took over from his father Doctor Paddy Molony in 1974, and together with their family they have worked hard at the business for the last 50 years. Over those years many Cheltenham Festival winners have also won and raced at the track, including two-time Champion Hurdle winner Honeysuckle, Champion Chase winner Newmill and Gold Cup hero Sizing John. Sadly it is also the place where jockey Michael O'Sullivan took a fall that cost him his life in February. Thurles was due to host 11 fixtures in the 2025-26 season, but will not hold any more meetings. It is the first racecourse in Ireland to close since Tralee shut is doors in 2008. Speaking about their decision, Ms Molony said: 'It has been an honour and a privilege for our family to have run Thurles Racecourse, and I am officially announcing our retirement today. "We are very proud of the immense contribution our family has made to racing and we are most grateful to our extended racecourse family, our dedicated staff, generous sponsors, loyal patrons and the wider racing community for all your support. "Horseracing is part of the fabric of our family, and we have been very fortunate to have made so many great friends within the industry over the years. My family and I look forward to going racing with you again, as spectators. 'Since my beloved husband Pierce passed away in 2015, with the help of our four daughters Patricia, Helen, Ann Marie and Kate and our wonderful staff, we've managed to keep the show on the road and I know he would be very proud of us for that. The girls all have their own families, careers and lives to live. Ever increasing industry demands and the cost of doing business has also been a major factor.' She added: 'We're going to enjoy this time together and relax now the decision is made and the news is out before we consider our options.' Willie Mullins has described the shock closure as a 'huge blow for Irish racing'. The champion trainer has saddled more than 250 winners at the Tipperary circuit. Mullins said: 'It was a major shock this morning to hear the news. It will be a huge blow for Irish racing, more specifically Irish jump racing and winter jump racing. 'Thurles is a track that always had beautiful ground in the winter when other tracks couldn't. 'It's the last family-run track in Ireland, I believe. Pierce Molony ran it for years, his father ran it before him and Riona and family have run it since Pierce died and they've been fantastic for the Irish jump fraternity over the years.' Fethard-based racehorse trainer and former jockey Michael 'Mouse' Morris said he had many fond memories of Thurles Racecourse down through the years. 'I rode a lot of winners there. One of my lucky tracks.' He added: 'It's a huge blow for Irish racing, to be honest. It was a fantastic track. It very rarely got called off due to weather.' The closure 'doesn't put racing in a great light,' Mr Morris continued. 'I don't know the reason now.' Mr Morris also paid tribute to the great facilities they have for trainers, both locally and for those trainers who would travel to Thurles from elsewhere. He then extended his best wishes to the Molony family and called on Horse Racing Ireland to take action to save the course. This sentiment was echoed by local TD Michael Lowry, who has asked that the site be preserved through a lease agreement or purchase. 'This is a sad, yet understandable decision,' he said. 'The Molony family gave this very careful consideration and arrived at this decision after much agonising. I wish to thank the Molony family for providing and maintaining a wonderful facility through generations. "I am fully aware of how difficult it has been to keep standards high and remain financially viable. Riona and the girls have been outstanding custodians of the track since Pierce passed away. "Regulatory rules, expectations, demands and compliance issues placed a huge burden of pressure, stress, and strain on the owners. In recent years, Riona and the girls invested heavily to improve the facilities. "Thurles racecourse is renowned for the excellence of the track. It is a proper national hunt track. It is a treasure in the sport of horse racing. It is essential to the racing industry that Horse Racing Ireland step in and ensure its future as a racecourse.' Also echoing Mr Morris, Tipperary political candidate Dan Harty said it was a 'a huge blow to Thurles and the Irish racing calendar'. "Very disappointing to hear this news this morning,' said Mr Harty. 'I would like to thank the Molony family for their decades long service in providing this top class race course facility in Thurles. Best wishes in all your future endeavours.' Bansha-based trainer and former jockey David Marnane was another to praise the Molony family. 'It's been part of the fabric of Irish racing for a long, long time,' he said. 'We're all flat (racing), but I remember riding there, going there as an amateur. We've had runners there.' Mr Marnane said it was always a good track. 'The ground was always the best it could be anyway. It was always very good ground. They're a great family there. They did a phenomenal job. They really put their life into it. It's just a very sad day.'
Irish Daily Mirror
17 hours ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Galway Races tips: Follow the Dream team on Friday night at the Festival
5.00 - Jame's Gate Auction Maiden BELLAMANO can take the opening race for Johnny Murtagh and Ben Coen on what's sure to be a very busy Friday night's action in Galway. The Lucky Vega filly has two good efforts to her name at Leopardstown and Killarney and is drawn in stall one, which as we've seen this week is a big advantage over seven furlongs. Next to her in stall two is Nod Of Approval, who should improve in the JP McManus silks from a decent debut effort at the Curragh. TIP: BELLAMANO Each-way: Nod Of Approval 5.30 - Guinness Beginners' Chase An 18-runner Beginners'' Chase around this tight and undulating track should be fun to watch and the experience of SHANTREUSSE gives him a hesitant vote. The Henry De Bromhead-trained gelding remains a maiden from eleven chase starts, and may well be exposed, but he has run some good races and was a Grade 3 winner over hurdles back in 2022. First time blinkers are interesting and he has had a nice break since finishing well down the field in the Topham at Aintree in April. In truth, anything could win this, but Sandor Clegane is a classy sort with plenty of experience too and will get his head in front one day soon. TIP: SHANTREUSSE Each-way: Sandor Clegane 6.00 - Galway Blazers Handicap Chase One of our favourite races of the week, a contest for horses who missed the cut in Wednesday's Galway Plate and always a fiercely competitive affair. DIGBY is a reliable little horse who has been in grand form this summer, winning at Ballinrobe over hurdles and at Bangor before running a belter in the Summer Plate at Uttoxeter in late June. Patrick O'Brien is in great form at the minute, riding a winner here on Wednesday, and if he can get to the front early on he'll take a bit of catching in a wide open race. Jack Kennedy's decision to ride Mars Harper warrants a second glance. The nine-year-old has plenty of ability and finished fourth in the Festival Plate at Cheltenham in the spring. TIP: DIGBY Each-way: Mars Harper 6.35 - Guinness Handicap You have to go back to the last century for Aidan O'Brien's only winner of this Friday night feature when the brilliant Theatreworld scored in 1998 and 1999 in between finishing runner-up in three Champion Hurdles in succession. Tonight O'Brien also tries to buck the trend of no three-year-old having won this race since 2001 with his ACAPULCO BAY. Drawn in stall one, expect Wayne Lordan to bounce out prominently and try to use the son of Dubawi's light weight and strong stamina to good effect. He has proven to be expensive to follow this summer and has been a beaten favourite in his last three runs but he can atone tonight and prove himself something of a handicap blot. Soaring Monarch is a fascinating runner. He's a regular here, winning at the 2023 Festival, and was third in this last year and is capable of a big run under top apprentice Nicola Burns. TIP: ACAPULCO BAY Each-way: Soaring Monarch 7.10 - Fillies Maiden Joseph O'Brien has been the scourge of the bookies here a few times here this week and JANNAH STAR should score in this 1m4f contest. By Sea The Stars, she has been a silver medal winner on her last two starts at Bellewstown and the Curragh since winning bronze on her debut at Limerick. This looks like a good opportunity to strike gold and get some reward for his consistency. TIP: JANNAH STAR Each-way: Ledecky 8.10 - Rockshore Irish Race The crowd should be getting giddy now and A DREAM TO SHARE can make them even happier with victory here for JP McManus and John and Thomas Kiely. A former Champion Bumper winner at Cheltenham, he's a very talented horse, who didn't take to hurdling but looked a smart horse for the flat when winning at Leopardstown. It's a deep race for the grade and prize-money with some dangerous opponents but the suspicion is that connections have had Galway in mind for a long time with this seven-year-old. Emmet Mullins has had a great week and his Mee family-owned This Songisforyou sets the standard and should be there or thereabouts at the finish too. TIP: A DREAM TO SHARE (nap) Each-way: This Songisforyou 8.40 - Hop House Handicap The lucky last on a long night of racing with REDWOOD QUEEN given the nod to build on an encouraging run over hurdles here on Wednesday. She's only rated 67 on the flat and came with a threatening run before just getting tired here two days ago. That was her first run since a controversial unseat in May and this looks a race well within her compass for her shrewd young trainer Cian Collins. Top weight Empress Alma is another who ran well here earlier in the week. TIP: REDWOOD QUEEN Each-way: Empress Alma
