Cheltenham countdown: Marine Nationale ruled out of Champion Chase and a Willie Mullins dark horse who has bookies worried

Cheltenham Festival: is just seven days awayCredit: Edward Whitaker

We are just ONE week away from the greatest show on turf!

What better way to continue the countdown to the Cheltenham Festival than with a LIVE BLOG, bringing you even closer to the action than you already are.

Stick with me, I've got you covered for the rest of the day as we gear up for the biggest week of the jumping calendar.

Have anything you want to discuss? Bankers, horses to avoid, or simply a view on the festival meeting, please get in touch: liveblog@racingpost.com

Lord Allen: was only in the role for six monthsCredit: Chris Jackson/Getty Images for The Invictus Games Foundation

Before we roll on to all things Cheltenham, we had some major news break earlier this morning.

Lord Allen, who six months ago stepped into the role as BHA Chair, has resigned after members were unable to agree on the reforms that would've introduced an independant board.

Allen said: "Horseracing is an amazing sport with great potential and over the last year I have met some incredibly passionate people who love the sport who believe to survive and prosper that change is needed."

You can read the full story here

Lord Allen's departure as BHA Chair is not a huge surprise to many in the sport, given that his position has been discussed heavily in recent weeks.

First announced as the new chair in November 2024, Allen did not take up his post towards the end of July 2025. 

• It has been 15 months that has led British racing to crisis point

It really has been a troubled period for everyone concerned, and it raises a serious question about where the BHA goes next.

Any thoughts, let us know – liveblog@racingpost.com

Marine Nationale: out of the Cheltenham FestivalCredit: Patrick McCann

STOP WHAT YOU'RE DOING.... WE HAVE EVEN MORE BREAKING NEWS!

Barry Connell has ruled reigning Champion Chase hero Marine Nationale OUT of a defence of his crown next week after he was found to have a sore neck this morning.

"He was very sore through his neck this morning. We had the vets in this morning and they put him on pain relief medication and we're just going to be out of time with withdrawal times."

By Keith Melrose, Betting editor

Marine Nationale's withdrawal is a particular sore point for his ante-post backers, of which I was one shortly after last year's Cheltenham Festival.

You might think this leaves the way clear for Majborough, and that would be true to an extent. 

Every 170+ horse that does not turn up gives the favourite more margin for error. But horses with that quality were lacking last year, and in 2024, but it did not stop both Jonbon and El Fabiolo from blundering away their chance. 

The often clumsy Majborough still has to negotiate 13 fences at full pace.

This just underlines that Majborough's main rivals next Wednesday will be made of twigs rather than flesh. 

The likes of L'Eau Du Sud, Il Etait Temps and Quilixios, who so nearly picked up the pieces last year, will be just as cheered as Majborough at the news that the defending champion will be absent a week tomorrow.

Marine Nationale: will not feature at CheltenhamCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

The BetMGM Queen Mother Champion Chase market has been rocked with the news that second-favourite Marine Nationale will not run.

The nine-year-old, who last year landed a poignant 18-length success for Barry Connell and his team in the race, will miss the chance to defend his crown due to a sore neck.

Where does this leave the race?

Majborough, who inflicted a 19-length defeat on Marine Nationale in the Dublin Chase at Leopardstown, remains the leading fancy.

Il Etait Temps, who fell in the BetMGM Clarence House Chase, remains in the race, alongside the Ryanair Chase, while L'Eau du Sud is another lively contender for Dan Skelton.

Who can forget Jonbon? Already a two-time Grade 1 winner this season, will this announcement change his connections' decision on his next run? He is in this race and the Ryanair Chase, too.

What do the bookmakers say?

Coral's David Stevens says: "Majborough had been favourite for the Champion Chase since he beat Marine Nationale at Leopardstown last month, and following the news that the latter won't be lining up at Cheltenham next week, JP McManus's runner has joined his stablemate, Fact To File, as the shortest priced contender for a race at this year's Festival."

Queen Mother Champion Chase odds

Coral: 4-6 Majborough, 7-2 L’Eau Du Sud, 5 Il Etait Temps, 7 Quilixios, 12 Jonbon, 16 Thistle Ask, 33 Bar

Fergal O'Brien: says In d'Or is likely out of the festivalCredit: Debbie Burt/Tattersalls Cheltenh

Another potential absentee from the Cheltenham Festival is the Fergal O'Brien-trained In d'Or.

The eight-year-old, who holds entries for the Ultima and Kim Muir, as well as the Randox Grand National, has picked up a knock, says his trainer.

I've returned to my desk after collecting my overnight oats from the fridge, and Conor Fennelly, my colleague in Ireland, has spoken to Barry Connell after the news that Marine Nationale is to MISS the Cheltenham Festival.

Have a read here

Who do you think wins the Champion Chase? Email – liveblog@racingpost.com

Nick Luck: a 20-1 shot with BetVictorCredit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

BetVictor has priced up the next BHA Chair.

They make Minette Batters the 6-1 favourite ahead of 7-1 David Armstrong. Matt Hancock is a 9-1 chance, while Nick Luck, yes you read that right, is a 20-1 outsider!

Big Sam is currently out of work. Maybe he could steady the ship until the end of the season?

Newbury: one of the tracks to have written to the RCA chairman

News of Lord Allen's departure has been swiftly followed by a call from the Jockey Club and major racecourses Ascot, Goodwood, Newbury and York for an "urgent review of the Racecourse Association governance to support industry change".

The objectives set out are aimed at ensuring that:

• Board and voting representation is balanced and credible
• Significant views from key racecourses can influence outcomes
• The organisation can act decisively on matters affecting the wider industry

The letter follows the stalemate that has resulted in the failure of the BHA members to establish an independent BHA Board. 

In calling for reform of the RCA, the signatories are making it clear that they:

• Remain committed to working collaboratively across the sport
• Support strong central leadership for British racing by the BHA, enabled by the establishment of an independent BHA Board
• Believe the present BHA governance arrangements prevent timely and effective decision-making
• Require a constructive governance review of the RCA to ensure that they are able to effectively participate in decisions that influence the future of the sport

Brentford Hope: has been a star for Harry DerhamCredit: Edward Whitaker

I was scrolling through X last night and noticed a lovely, heartfelt tribute by Harry Derham after he announced the retirement of stable star Brentford Hopee.

The nine-year-old has won nine of his 39 starts, amassing prize-money of over £230,000, and has been a proper performer for the yard.

Derham said: "From the very start of my training career, Dave, as we all know him, has been a completely wonderful horse for us all, taking us to some fabulous places, winning some lovely races and giving his owners The Optimists so much fun along the way. 

"His group of owners have been absolutely incredible, supportive regardless of result, game for a challenge, and always put the needs of Dave first."

We wish him all the best in his retirement. 

Groundstaff have been working hard ahead of next weekCredit: Edward Whitaker

With a week to go until the Cheltenham Festival, we caught up with clerk of the course Jon Pullin regarding track conditions.

The going on Monday was described as soft on the Old course, where racing will take place next Tuesday and Wednesday, and good to soft on the New course, where the final two days of the fixture will be held. 

He said: "It's definitely better on the New course, where the ground has started to dry out a little bit. There's a lot of moisture underneath, but the top has begun to dry now on the courses.

"We have a dry week forecast up until Thursday, when there could be a couple of showers, although nothing of significance – maybe a millimetre or two. That sort of rainfall wouldn't make a difference to the ground. We're then dry again on Saturday and Sunday."

Read more

Ladbrokes are offering new customers 33-1 for Dan Skelton, who is leading the British trainer's championship, to land a Cheltenham Festival winner.

The New Lion is the favourite for the Champion Hurdle, while L'Eau Du Sud is now the second favourite for the Queen Mother Champion Chase in what is surely the yard's strongest ever festival team this year.

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Jonbon: beat Pic D'Orhy at Ascot last monthCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

In my position as Lambourn correspondent, I find myself speaking to Nicky Henderson more than my own family at times, particularly at this time of the year.

As is the case, I put in a call to the Seven Barrows master just now to find out the latest with Jonbon, who holds entries into both the Champion Chase and Ryanair Chase.

Jonbon has yet to win at the festival, but he has twice won at Cheltenham. He has two Grade 1s to his name this season, one over 2m1f and the other over 2m5f, but his assignment next week has yet to be confirmed.

Henderson said: "He's ticking over and he's fine. He's in very good form.

"We'll see what happens. There's a lot of things changing, and obviously things have changed this morning, but we'll let them continue to change and see where we stand."

Tuesday mornings are a very busy time at Seven Barrows, with fast work usually scheduled on the Farringdon Road grass gallops.

When asked about the session and his festival squad, Henderson said: "Quite a lot of them worked this morning and they're all doing okay."

Willie Mullins: how many winners will he have next week?Credit: Edward Whitaker

By Matt Rennie, reporter

A lot of the big guns are sure to be popular next week, but one bookmaker has racked up a fair liability on a Willie Mullins-trained runner available at double-figure odds.

The horse in question is Mon Creuset, who could be part of a powerful Mullins team in the JCB Triumph Hurdle. His price has tumbled from 33-1 last month to just 14-1 with Paddy Power.

Their spokesperson Paul Binfield said: "We've seen a lot of business for Mon Creuset, who was very unfortunate last time at Naas, in the Triumph Hurdle over the past two days, following Willie Mullins putting him up as a dark horse. We have already racked up a fair liability on him."

Keep an eye out across our sites later on to find out who else could be big losers for other bookmakers at the Cheltenham Festival.

With Marine Nationale out of the BetMGM Queen Mother Champion Chase, we want to know who you think will win the race, and why.

Email - liveblog@racingpost.com

Back in 1992, The Cure said Tuesdays were grey. But next Tuesday, all eyes will be on Cheltenham as day one of the festival kicks off. We don't know what the weather will be like, but the mood will definitely not be grey.

What is your best bet for the opening day? Email liveblog@racingpost.com

Willie Mullins: looking for a record-equalling seventh Triumph winCredit: Edward Whitaker

Following on from our earlier post, it looks as though the gamble for Mon Creuset in the JCB Triumph Hurdle is not going away any time soon.

Having been cut to 14-1 (from 33s) with Paddy Power for the opener on Friday week, the Gigginstown-owned gelding is now a 10-1 shot with the firm. He is also 10s (from 20s) with Sky Bet and 16s (from 25s) with bet365.

He is, however, as big as 25-1 with Ladbrokes, but that will surely change soon.

Who is Mon Creuset?

A four-year-old, who joined Mullins from France towards the end of 2025.

What has he done?

He finished a comfortable winner on the Flat at Nantes in October. He then finished a well-beaten fourth on his hurdling debut at Naas in January, but he looked to be travelling with ease before a mistake two out. 

Mon Creuset makes a critical error when hitting the front at the second-last hurdle at Naas in JanuaryCredit: Racing TV

How does Mullins fare in the Triumph?

The British and Irish champion trainer first won the Grade 1 with Scolardy in 2002. Remarkably, it took him 18 years to win it again with Burning Victory in 2020, but the yard has since won it four years on the spin (2022-2025), and will be seeking a record-extending seventh win this year. 

Supreme contenders: (from left) Talk The Talk, El Cairos and Old Park Star

James McGeown has emailed in to say Talk The Talk in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle is his best bet on the opening day of the Cheltenham Festival. 

The Joseph O'Brien-trained five-year-old is a general 4-1 second favourite behind Old Park Star in the betting. 

Keep them coming via email – liveblog@racingpost.com

I Am Maximus is second favourite to win the Randox Grand National againCredit: Edward Whitaker

By Chris Cook

Willie Mullins has slimmed down his team for next month's Grand National. The latest entries were published on Tuesday morning, revealing five withdrawals, three of which are based with the champion trainer in County Carlow.

Mullins has taken out Impaire Et Passe, Ile Atlantique and Blizzard Of Oz, while Mister Coffey (Nicky Henderson) and Flooring Porter (Gavin Cromwell) have also dropped out. All five were priced at 66-1 or bigger.

It's good news for some of those who needed withdrawals in order to make the cut for the famous Aintree race, which has a limit of 34 runners. Perceval Legallois and The Real Whacker are among those now guaranteed a space in the final field, should connections decide to send them.

Panic Attack, winner of the Coral Gold Cup and the Paddy Power Gold Cup in the autumn, needs at least another 11 withdrawals from those rated above her to get into the final field.

Mullins still has a strong hand, with 11 remaining entries, of which nine are in the top 34. His I Am Maximus is 10-1 second-favourite for the race on April 11.