MARINE TIMING HIS RUN NICELY

BARRY Connell believes Marine Nationale is closing in on being the finished article ahead of his blockbuster clash with Fact To File in the William Hill Champion Chase at Punchestown today.

- BY ADAM MORGAN

The highlight on the opening day of the festival sees the Queen Mother Champion Chase winner face off against Willie Mullins' impressive Ryanair Chase hero.

Having missed the majority of his novice chase season, Connell, who owns and trains Marine Nationale, has been playing catch up in terms of experience, but he now appears to be reaching his peak.

"He didn't have much of a blow after the race. I think he was the easiest winner of the whole week and he's come out of the race in super shape," said O'Connell, for whom the victory was an emotional one with the late Michael O'Sullivan having ridden Marine Nationale to Supreme Novices' Hurdle glory in 2023.