Barry Connell believes Marine Nationale is in a different situation this year and is therefore not concerned about the champion fighter having to run again this season.
Last season, Marine Nationale returned from an injury sustained during his new campaign that limited him to just two runs over fences, leaving him short on experience against the top two-mile chasers.
He was therefore beaten in his first three outings, but stepped up in great style at Cheltenham and followed up at Punchestown, meaning he set the standard for others to aim for.
Connell is ruled out of his planned first run of the season in the Fortria Chase due to tough conditions. Connell believes the chances of that happening are slim in the Paddy’s Reward Club Chase at Leopardstown on December 27, for which he shares favoritism with the sponsors alongside Majborough at 2-1.
“The amount of rain we’ve had is minimal and if it doesn’t rain they may need to water. The horse won the Supreme on soft ground and in the Royal Bond it was soft – he just doesn’t want bottomless, heavy winter ground on his first run back,” the owner/trainer told Paddy Power.
“We are in a different situation this year: the year before he missed most of his rookie season due to a suspensory injury. Then he came in a little behind the eight ball in open company.”
“He didn’t have the chase experience and it took some build-up over the season to find his feet. When you go at two-mile Champion Chase pace you have to learn it on the job and he has gained experience.
“We don’t expect that this time because he’s jumping excellently, he hasn’t missed a single race at Cheltenham and Punchestown and he’s been to a racecourse for a teaching session.
“At eight years old, (soon to be) nine years old, the horse is done not getting any bigger, but he has had a very good summer and is in a good place, both physically and mentally.
“There have been no delays with him. He will start but he is fit and well. Everything is good and I am looking forward to the 27th.”
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