Tearful tribute to O'Sullivan as day two brings surprises

Marine Nationale and Jazzy Matty won back-to-back races on a day of surprises in an emotional tribute to jockey Michael O’Sullivan.

- MICHAEL JONES

O’Sullivan, a 24-year-old jockey who died last month after a fall at Thurles racecourse, only won twice at the Cheltenham Festival, with both victories coming on day one of the 2023 edition.

His horses that day were Marine Nationale and Jazzy Matty, who both triumphed inside 40 minutes on Style Wednesday, providing the perfect farewell to their previous rider.

Cheltenham had already paid tribute to O’Sullivan by renaming yesterday’s opening race in his honour, yet the successes for his former horses provided more special moments for his family.

Marine Nationale’s pedigree is well known but he wasn’t expected to triumph yesterday afternoon in a Queen Mother Champion Chase field which included heavy favourite Jonbon, Willie Mullins’ Energumene and last year’s winner Captain Guinness.

Quilixios and Solness also ran, having both beaten Marine Nationale in his previous three races and it was those two who proved more stubborn. They traded places at the front of the pack to lead the field for most of the race with Energumene also taking his turn at the top.