Marine Nationale Out of Cheltenham Champion Chase

Marine Nationale, the reigning champion of the Queen Mother Champion Chase, has been ruled out of defending his title at the Cheltenham Festival next week after sustaining a neck injury. The nine-year-old gelding, owned and trained by Barry Connell in County Kildare, Ireland, was discovered to be sore and subdued in his stable on Monday morning, March 3, 2025, forcing connections to withdraw him from the two-mile highlight race scheduled for March 11.

Connell, speaking to the Press Association, described the incident as an untimely setback. "When we went to see him this morning he was very sore through his neck. I'm not sure, but he may have got cast in his box," he said. A veterinarian examined the horse and administered pain relief medication, but the timing left no room for recovery before the festival at Prestbury Park. "If it happened a couple of weeks ago we might have been all right, but we're just out of time," Connell added. He emphasized that the injury does not appear severe and expressed optimism for a return at Punchestown in April.

The withdrawal represents a significant disappointment for Connell and his small yard, where Marine Nationale has been a standout...