Emotional scenes at Cheltenham as Micheal O'Sullivan honoured by Marine Nationale's thrilling victory

There were very emotional scenes at Cheltenham as Marine Nationale and Jazzy Matty both stormed to victory on the second day of the Cheltenham Festival. 

Both horses had been ridden to victory by the late Michael O’Sullivan at the Cheltenham Festival in 2023. 

It was just written in the stars as Marine Nationale slammed his rivals in the Queen Mother Champion Chase after Quilixios fell at the last and favourite Jonbon ruined his chances with a terrible blunder. 

On another dramatic day at the Cotswold's Corks Jody Townend won the Cheltenham bumper aboard Bamino Fever which was her first ever win at the Festival.

The victory of Marine Nationale came laced with poignancy as had carried the late Lombardstown rider to a memorable victory in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at the 2023 Cheltenham Festival.

Marine Nationale went through the race with immense poise and power. 

Energumene under Paul Townend had jumped with flair, but weakened as the horses approached the final turn and it came down to a head-to-head between Quilixios and Marine Nationale.

Winning owner Barry Connell had mixed emotions as he waved to the Cheltenham crowd. 

“I’d like to say it’s very poignant and very raw, the whole thing with Michael over the last three or four weeks has been horrible, horrible," Barry Connell said. 

"My thoughts and prayers are with his family and his girlfriend, Charlotte, is here and was with us saddling up the horse. 

"Everybody in racing has come together for Michael and I hope this is a fitting tribute to him. 

"This is a magical horse, to get one like him you just pinch yourself. Marine has steadily improved all season and was very good at the Dublin Racing Festival. 

"We will probably go to the Punchestown Festival in a few weeks. We are over the moon.” 

Jockey Sean Flanagan has been around the block and was thrilled to get this victory under his belt after getting the run of the race. 

"It’s hugely emotional for a lot of reasons," Flanagan said.

"All the jockeys in the world have been under a cloud for the last couple of weeks. I’m only the man that steered him around, Michael’s the man who made him what he is and he’ll never be forgotten.

"This one is for you Michael."

Looking ahead to Thursday's Racing Carrigtwohill’s Terrence O’Brien's Answer To Kayf carries the hopes of Cork punters in the novice handicap chase on day three of the Cheltenham Festival. 

He finished a very respectable fourth in the Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle at last year's festival. 

Preparations have gone well and everything is in place for a big run.

“The horse has travelled over well and it’s great to have a runner at the meeting. 

"We enjoyed ourselves last year and the O’Connor got a great thrill. 

"The horse is owned locally by Denis O’Connor in Carrigtwohill and we are very close family friends. 

"Obviously, there is a great buzz around the village. He won well the last day at Naas and we qualified for this race. 

"Maybe Answer To Kayf would prefer a bit further. He is in very good form so it is. 

"John Shinnick from Glanworth is a very good young rider and has been with us a couple of years. 

"He is an excellent man to school a horse," Terrence O’Brien said.

Elsewhere, on the card, Sean O’Driscoll’s Home By The Lee is a big player in the Stayers Hurdle which is the feature race on day three of the Cheltenham Festival. 

Gordon Elliot is still without a winner and has the favourite Teahupoo in the race.