Marine Nationale downs Facile Vega in style with the first eight home all Irish

Barry Connell wasn't afraid to talk the talk in the countdown to Cheltenham and Marine Nationale and Michael O'Sullivan combined to prove him right in spectacular style with a classy triumph in the opening race of the festival.

In what looked a deep Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle, Willie Mullins' Facile Vega was sent off the 9-4 favourite to leave behind his lacklustre Dublin Racing Festival run and add to his 2022 Champion Bumper rout. He certainly performed a lot better under a more patient Paul Townend steer and the stands came alive when he touched down in front two out.

However, O'Sullivan, a cool customer whose demeanour defies his relative inexperience, had followed Townend's every move. When Facile Vega swung for home, his stablemate Dark Raven cried enough and O'Sullivan, who had got to this point by just cajoling his mount, began to get a little more animated.

As they took the final flight, he was nearly upsides Facile Vega. Townend's mount gave the first major sign of distress when stumbling on touching down, as O'Sullivan, who let Marine Nationale pop that flight, seized the moment.

Marine Nationale picked up impressively to stride three and a quarter lengths clear, with O'Sullivan administering a couple of token flicks to keep his mind on the job. It was a thoroughly polished display from horse and rider, both of whom look to have bright futures.

It was also a sterling training performance as Connell, the former have-a-go owner-amateur rider who took out a training licence a couple of years ago, had produced him in peak condition on his first start since landing the Royal Bond at Fairyhouse on December 4. It was the first time since Captain Cee Bee 15 years earlier that the Supreme winner had delivered on the back of a layoff of 100 days or more.

"It's the best feeling of all time," beamed Connell, who has Good Land to look forward to in Wednesday's Ballymore. "I put a lot of pressure on myself, saying he was the best horse I’ve ever had. He’s very, very quick. He’s unlike any other horse we’ve had before. He’s probably a Group 1 horse on the Flat, and we might get around to that at some stage. But today was his day.

Of his bold predictions beforehand, he added: "I came over on the boat and I told every Irish person on the boat to back the two horses. I told them they are the two best novices in Ireland, so I'm off the hook partially today because I would have had to put on a disguise going home if he got beat!"

Marine Nationale won the Supreme on day one the Cheltenham FestivalCredit: Edward Whitaker

Connell, a stockbroker by trade who enjoyed festival success as an owner with Pedrobob (2007), Martello Tower (2015) and Tully East (2017), said Marine Nationale would now get an entry for Punchestown. Chasing could be on the agenda next term, although he was noncommittal on that.

"I hope we are only beginning the journey now," he said of his six-year-old, who returned at odds of 9-2. "This lad will probably come back for the Arkle next year. That would be my initial thought at this point in time but we'll see. Today is for enjoying today."

O'Sullivan had two Grade 1s to his name already this season, yet he is still a claimer who has ridden just 42 winners. He comes from good stock, though, his father William having ridden Lovely Citizen to victory for Michael's uncle Eugene in the 1991 Foxhunters.

With a degree in Agricultural Science, he didn't rush into race riding, yet he looks to the manor born.

"He's a proper horseman," Connell said of the 23-year-old. "And he is way ahead of his age in terms of his maturity. 

"We put our faith in him and I didn't care if he was a 5lb or 3lb claimer – he doesn't need it. I think he's a future star and we wouldn't swap him for any jockey in the weighing room."

O'Sullivan, for his part, cut a composed figure. "It was an unbelievable performance," he said of Marine Nationale, adding: "It's unbelievable, a massive relief.

"We’re having an amazing season, I don’t think it can be topped. The horse is just incredible. I turned in and I wasn’t sure what I was holding on to, but by God he actually won easy.

"Paul had kicked on Facile but I was happy enough that he would come back to me. He won very snugly. I never got serious on him at all. He isn't even having a blow."

Diverge took third from Inthepocket, with Irish horses filling the first eight places. It was an ominous start to the meeting for the locals.

Mullins and Townend went on to claim the Arkle with El Fabiolo, but there was no disguising their disappointment after this. Chances are Facile Vega just ran into something a little more special than him.

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