Connell counting down to Leopardstown with Marine Nationale

Barry Connell believes Marine Nationale is in a different situation this year and as a result is not concerned the champion chaser has yet to run this season.

Last term Marine Nationale was returning from an injury picked up in his novice campaign that restricted him to just two runs over fences and as a result left him short of experience against the best two-mile chasers.

He was therefore beaten on his first three outings, but stepped forward in tremendous fashion at Cheltenham and followed up at Punchestown, meaning he sets the standard for others to aim at.

Ruled out of his intended first run of the season in the Fortria Chase on account of heavy ground, Connell thinks there is little chance of that on December 27 in the Paddy’s Reward Club Chase at Leopardstown, for which he shares favouritism with the sponsors alongside Majborough at 2-1.

“The amount of rain that we’ve had is minimal and if it doesn’t rain, they might have 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’re in a different situation this year – the year before, he missed most of his novice season with a suspensory injury. Then in open company, he was coming in a bit behind the eight ball.

“He didn’t have the chasing experience and it took a bit of building over the season to find his feet. When you’re going two-mile Champion Chase speed, you need to learn on the job and he picked up experience.

“We’re not expecting that this time, as his jumping is excellent and he didn’t miss a beat at Cheltenham and Punchestown and he has been to a racecourse for a schooling session.

“At eight-years-old, (soon to be) nine, the horse is finished in respect to 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 hold ups with him, he’ll come on for the run but he’s fit and well, everything is good and I’m looking forward to the 27th.”