Sean Flenagan drove Marine Nationale to the emotional victory at Chashe Chase at the Cheltenham Cheltenham Festival, while Jonbon’s favorite has arrived.
Jonbon (4-1) was expected to bring the victory of JP McManus coach, but he fought immediately after a very messy start and, when he scored the fifth most interesting fence, his hopes in the victory basically disappeared.
Marine Nationale (5-1) entered the last fence directly in front of Quilixios (40-1), and when the latter fell, it made it possible for Joker Sean Flanagan to point out to heaven while claiming a triumph that would live in Cheltenham folklore.
It is a victory that comes just under a month after the tragic passage of Joker Michael O’Sullivan at the age of 24. O’Sullivan died on February 16 after serious injuries sustained in the fall in Thurles.
O’Sullivan drove Marine Nationale to victory in Supreme Novice in 2023, and an eight -year -old proved his quality with Flanagan in the saddle, as Nico de Boinville’s recovery driving that Jonbon took second place.
The most comfortable winners!
Marine Nationale Beats Betmgm Queen Mather Champion Chase 🏆#Itraking | #Cheltenhamfestival | @swflanagan7 pic.twitter.com/dn2kqsjj5
– ITV Racing (@itvracing) March 12, 2025
“He made him what he was”
O’Sullivan’s girlfriend Charlotte was present in Cheltenham after spending time in a barn with a horse with which her late partner had such a clear relationship earlier in the week.
Both Flanagan and coach Barry Connell paid tribute to O’sullivan after a victory that seemed written in the stars.
“It’s extremely emotional for many reasons,” said Flenagan ITV. “His family is considered very difficult, jockers in Ireland, England and around the world have been under a cloud in the last few weeks.
“Michael. This is for you”
Sean Flenagan pays tribute to Michael O’Sullivan, who won this race on Marine Nationale two years ago #Itraking | #Cheltenhamfestival | @swflanagan7 | @Aliceplunkett pic.twitter.com/jexnzbef4l
– ITV Racing (@itvracing) March 12, 2025
“Michael is the man who has done him what he is, never really forgot him.”
Connell added, “It won’t sink long. The last three or four weeks have been terrible.
“Michael and I went on a trip with this horse. It’s the devastating Michael is not with us.
“I would like to dedicate this victory to Michael and his girlfriend Charlotte. Our hearts come out to Michael and his family. I hope this is a suitable end.”
De Boinville explodes a terrible start
Jonbon remained a huge amount of soil to make up for it after it almost removed De Boinville.
But the damage was done at the beginning. After the initial false start, Jonbon moved very slowly and never looked like he was being compensated, and his eventual racing up had completed the mistake of the mistake in front of him.
“Awful”
Nico de Boinville was not satisfied with the start, in which the tape was under Jonbon’s nose #Itraking | #Cheltenhamfestival | @Mcyyeehaaaaa pic.twitter.com/alls8ykjvo
– ITV Racing (@itvracing) March 12, 2025
In short comments on ITV, De Boinville made his irritation as he treats abundance clearly at the beginning.
“I don’t blame anyone, but he didn’t like the tape under the nose,” Deboinville said.
“[The start was] awful. “
Jazzy Matty makes a magical double
It was an incredibly sharp day after Marina Nationale’s victory, but Jazzy Matty did it twice so overcome in the great annual chase.
The unexpected party led the turn, but 15-2 shot Jazzy Matty to take away the victory, just as he did in 2023, in Fred Winter Hendicup Huntle with O’Sullivan in the saddle.
With both horses that won the same day with O’sullivan in Cheltenham two years ago, the victory is triumphantly just a few weeks after his death, Joke Jazzy Matty Danny Gilligan summarized it beautifully.
“I think we all know that there is a very special look at us today,” ITV said after crossing the line.
“We all know that someone very special is looking at us today” ♥ ️#Itraking | #Cheltenhamfestival | @Dannygilligan8 | @Aliceplunkett pic.twitter.com/uv7d1izcgg
– ITV Racing (@itvracing) March 12, 2025
Earlier that day, the new lion (3-1) stretched out his undefeated race on five races with a victory in the Turner’s obstacle, giving McManus his 80th victory at Cheltenham.
Lecky Watson (20-1) was a surprising winner of coach Willie Mullins in the chase for brown advisory beginners. Mullins then saw another outsider Jimmy du Seuil (16-1), Coral Cup claimed.
Top and favorite Strumptown (5-2) were given by Jockey Keith Donohue Record Fifth Success in the Chase Glenfarclas Cross Country.
