Marine Nationale on course for Fortria return despite softening conditions

Barry Connell is well aware that conditions will not be perfect for Marine Nationale if he makes his seasonal reappearance in the Bar One Racing Fortria Chase at Navan on Saturday, but he is keen to get his champion started.

The eight-year-old landed his second win at the Cheltenham Festival when strolling away with the Queen Mother Champion Chase in March and followed that up with an easy victory at Punchestown.

That left no doubt that he was leader of the division and Connell has had the Fortria picked out as his starting point for some time, but heavy rain in Ireland early in the week has now turned the ground testing.

“I was on the Curragh this morning and it was hammering down but the worst of it is due to go through today and the going at Navan is soft to heavy,” said Connell on Tuesday.

“The one good thing is that it is the first chase of the whole season at Navan so it will be completely fresh ground, it would be a different matter in January or February.

“We’re very keen to run, we’re all systems go really, and the forecast is suggesting it will dry out by the end of the week.

“It’s not ideal but I think he’ll go on any ground. He’s such a light-actioned horse that heavy ground isn’t ideal. But he’s in great form.

“He’s a speed horse and no real speed horse is at their best in heavy ground. He did win the Royal Bond on soft ground when it rained on the morning of the race and he got through it. What he wouldn’t like is tacky ground but with it being fresh it shouldn’t be.

“If the forecast is right and it’s not as wet towards the end of the week I’d say we’re almost certain to run.”