Day 2 of the Cheltenham Festival was the most emotional spectacle imaginable – as Marine Nationale, the horse ridden to Supreme Novices’ Hurdle victory by the late Michael O’Sullivan in 2023 – honoured his memory in the most fitting way possible – by winning the Queen Mother Champion Chase by a whopping 18 lengths.
The Barry Connell-trained 5-1 shot capitalised on the misfortunes of favourite Jonbon and a last fence fall by the locally trained Quilixios, as there wasn’t a dry eye in the house at Prestbury Park.
Just 40 minutes later, Jazzy Matty – trained by Cian Collins and ridden by Danny Gilligan, stormed home in the Johnny Henderson Grand Annual at odds of 15/2.
Fittingly, Jazzy Matty was also ridden to a Cheltenham Festival victory by O’Sullivan – as he landed the Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle in 2023.
With his family and girlfriend Charlotte present, it was clear to all that O’Sullivan was looking down on the Cotswolds – and it was truly a day when his memory was entwined throughout, as another horse he had a close relationship with – Lecky Watson – won the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase at 20/1 – and again, winning jockey Sean O’Keeffe paid tribute to O’Sullivan in his victory lap.
12 March 2025; Winning owner Lar Byrne celebrates after winning The Brown Advisory NovicesÂ’ Steeple Chase with Lecky Watson on day two of the Cheltenham Racing Festival at Prestbury Park in Cheltenham, England. Photo by Harry Murphy/Sportsfile
While Ballyburn and Final Demand did not deliver, it was still a day to remember for Willie Mullins as he was in the winners’ enclosure with both Lecky Watson – and Jimmy du Seuil (16/1) who was delivered to the line in fine time by Danny Mullins to win the Coral Cup. He made it a treble in the last, as Bambino Fever (4/1) took the Champion Bumper in a really smart performance – a landmark winner for Jody Townend and a 14th success in the race for the champion trainer.
There was just one British win on the day, but the British winner on the day does look a striking prospect for the future – The New Lion landing the Turners’ Novices Hurdle at odds of 3/1 for the Skeltons and JP McManus.
Six wins on the board for the Irish on Cheltenham Day 2 – as they now lead 9-5 in the Prestbury Cup. All eyes are now fixed on Thursday, which will feature the Stayers’ Hurdle and Ryanair Chase – and a host of local chances.
