Cheltenham hero Marine Nationale misses Punchestown Festival date for summer break

Marine Nationale will bypass next week's Punchestown Festival and embark on his summer break instead.

The unbeaten six-year-old justified the confidence of trainer Barry Connell with a stunning display at the Cheltenham Festival when winning the Supreme Novices' Hurdle.

He was expected to try to extend his unbeaten run in the KPMG Champion Novice Hurdle on Tuesday, but his name was not among the eight confirmations.

"We've decided we're going to let him out now, he's been on the go for the past 12 months and he didn't get a summer at grass last year," said Connell.

"It would have been nice to go to Punchestown, but he's done a lot. He's run five times and won five times, so we'll let him out and look forward to having him for either the Champion Hurdle or possibly a novice chasing campaign which we'll discuss in the summer.

"His form was boosted at Aintree last week with Inthepocket and Strong Leader coming from the Supreme and Ashroe Diamond from the Royal Bond.

"This time last year he hadn't had a run and we ended up having a summer campaign which was really unusual, so weighing it all up, we think giving him the break is for the best."

Looking ahead to next season, Connell added: "I would say the Champion Hurdle route is more likely but he has a lot of schooling done over fences and jumps brilliant, so it is an option.

"He's only run three times over hurdles and while his jumping was very good at Cheltenham, Michael (O'Sullivan) felt there was room for improvement, he was still hanging in the air a bit which Champion Hurdle horses don't do. That will come with experience.

"Assuming Constitution Hill goes chasing, there's probably a vacancy. There's no Hurricane Fly or Annie Power around in the Champion Hurdle, so that is probably the way we are leaning.

"Good Land (Dublin Festival Grade One winner) will go chasing for sure, though. He ran OK at Cheltenham, if a bit flat, but he'll be exciting over fences."

Facile Vega, Diverge and High Definition - all behind Marine Nationale at Cheltenham - are among the eight contenders for the, along with impressive Ballymore winner Impaire Et Passe.

There are seven in the William Hill Champion Chase over two miles with Energumene, Gentleman De Mee, Blue Lord and Chacun Pour Soi all possible for Willie Mullins.

In the Dooley Insurance Champion Novice Chase, Mullins has five of the seven confirmations, which include Sir Gerhard and Appreciate It.

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