Latest news with #BarryConnell
RTÉ News
29-04-2025
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Marine Nationale wins Punchestown's Champion Chase
Marine Nationale backed up his Cheltenham win with an impressive victory in the William Hill Champion Chase at Punchestown. Fresh from a wide-margin success in the Queen Mother Champion Chase at last month's Festival, Barry Connell's stable star was the 2-1 second-favourite to come out on top in a fascinating clash with the brilliant Ryanair Chase winner Fact To File (11-10). Drama in the William Hill Champion Chase as Marine Nationale secures an impressive victory at Punchestown. #rteracing 📺 Watch: @rte2 & @rteplayer 📱 Results: — RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) April 29, 2025 While the latter looked to be struggling to keep up with the strong pace being set by Solness from an early stage back over an extended two miles, Marine Nationale travelled strongly throughout under Sean Flanagan, although the race did look in the balance until El Fabiolo suffered his third fall in his last four starts two fences from home. Barry Connell never doubted that Marine Nationale could land the big one at Punchestown and he was proved right. #rteracing 📺 Watch: @rte2 & @rteplayer 📱 Results: — RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) April 29, 2025 Marine Nationale was in full command from that point and quickened up smartly from the final obstacle to pull seven lengths clear of Captain Guinness, with Solness third and Fact To File a bitterly disappointing last of four finishers. Sean Flanagan speaks to RTE Sport following his fine victory with Marine Nationale at Punchestown. #rteracing 📺 Watch: @rte2 & @rteplayer 📱 Results: — RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) April 29, 2025 Watch the Punchestown Festival from Tuesday to Saturday with RTÉ Sport. Coverage begins at 3.30pm for first three days and on Friday at 4pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player. Watch on Saturday from 3pm on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player.
Leader Live
29-04-2025
- Sport
- Leader Live
Marine Nationale completes Champion Chase double
Fresh from a wide-margin success in the Queen Mother Champion Chase at last month's Festival, Barry Connell's stable star was the 2-1 second-favourite to come out on top in a fascinating clash with the brilliant Ryanair Chase winner Fact To File (11-10). While the latter looked to be struggling to keep up with the strong pace being set by Solness from an early stage back over an extended two miles, Marine Nationale travelled strongly throughout under Sean Flanagan, although the race did look in the balance until El Fabiolo suffered his third fall in his last four starts two fences from home. Marine Nationale was in full command from that point and quickened up smartly from the final obstacle to pull seven lengths clear of Captain Guinness, with Solness third and Fact To File a bitterly disappointing last of four finishers. Marine Nationale shows his class once again, with a fine effort in the Grade 1 @WilliamHill Champion Chase for the duo of @swflanagan7 and Barry Connell ✅ — Punchestown (@punchestownrace) April 29, 2025 Of the winner, Connell said: 'We missed a lot of our novice season last year so it was a slow build. I felt the horse improved with every run and had improved again from Cheltenham and we were proved right. 'He won doing a half-speed and I think this horse has all the attributes to be a multiple Champion Chase winner going forward. 'Our target is to win three and equal Badsworth Boy, who is the only horse in history to win three Champion Chases, despite all of the storied horses over the years. 'He's only eight and that's his 12th run – he has no mileage on the clock, and he grows an extra leg in Cheltenham.' The trainer added: 'He's so laidback, goes through the gears and just does enough. He doesn't burn any extra petrol than what he needs. 'He's the most wonderful creature and everybody in the yard has had a huge part to play in this. Garrett (Cotter) rides him every day, Mandy looks after him – it's just a great success for Kildare as there are not too many National Hunt horses trained in Kildare anymore. 'We only have 13 or 14 horses riding out and we are able to punch at the highest level if we get the ammunition. 'This is the horse of a lifetime and we are going to mind him and you'll see him back in Cheltenham next year – and he won't be 10-1 like he was this morning!' Paddy Power cut Marine Nationale's odds to retain his Queen Mother Champion Chase crown to 4-1 from 8-1.
