WRITTEN IN THE STARS

O'Sullivan's winners and remarkable double

- MELISSA JONES

CHELTENHAM was choked with emotion for an absent friend honoured by a Festival masterclass from Marine Nationale.

Michael O'Sullivan spent weeks and months carefully harnessing the talents of his head-strong thoroughbred, their stars soaring together.

But the journey for the 24-year-old was tragically cut short last month when a racecourse fall proved to be one battle he could not win.

Fate intervened and, perhaps with a little help from above, 5-1 shot Marine Nationale befitted his legacy in yesterday's BetMGM Queen Mother Champion Chase.