Marine Nationale's Arkle Challenge Hopes Dashed by Suspensory Strain

The highly anticipated appearance of Marine Nationale at the upcoming My Pension Expert Arkle Challenge Trophy Novices' Chase has been dashed as the seven-year-old has suffered a suspensory strain.

The horse, who triumphed in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham last year, was a strong favourite to add another victory to his list at the Arkle.

Trainer Barry Connell has confirmed that Marine Nationale will require a six-week rest period, ruling him out not only for Cheltenham but also for potential races at Aintree and Punchestown.

Connell disclosed,

"He essentially needs six weeks off due to a minor suspensory strain. Despite being in excellent form during our final training session, the horse unexpectedly showed signs of lameness the following day."

This setback comes after a promising season for Marine Nationale, which saw him secure a notable win at Leopardstown's Christmas meeting before facing a surprising defeat last month. While his jumps season has come to an abrupt end, Connell remains optimistic about the horse's future. He hinted at a possible switch to the Flat circuit in the autumn once Marine Nationale has fully recovered.

Connell expressed his disappointment at missing out on the spring campaign, including Cheltenham and Punchestown, but remains focused on a potential return for the Queen Mother Champion Chase next year. He highlighted the silver lining of having a fresh and healthy horse in six weeks, setting the stage for a possible Flat campaign later in the year.

Reflecting on the unexpected turn of events, Connell acknowledged the uncertainties of National Hunt racing but expressed confidence in Marine Nationale's resilience. With only seven runs under his belt, the horse is poised to make a strong comeback next season, potentially exploring new opportunities on the Flat.

Connell concluded,

"While we may have missed our chance at the Arkle this year, we are looking forward to a successful return at Cheltenham next year. In the meantime, we will explore potential Flat races in the autumn, paving the way for an exciting future ahead."