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Talk of Cheltenham Festival fights has been well underway with Patrick Mullins and Barry Connell taking on their rivals in the competitive Supreme Novices’ Hurdle.
Barry Connell trained unbeaten contender Marine Nationale, who landed the first hurdle before flying home to get up last in the Grade One Royal Bond Novice Hurdle at Fairyhouse in November.
The owner-trainer has put away six years since then, bringing him back for the Spring campaign which includes running in the Opener Cheltenham Festival next week, where he is 7/2 second favorite out on top.
Marine Nationale gets a kiss from jockey Michael O’Sullivan
And Connell, who also had a good chance with Good Land in the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle, could not hide his confidence in the Marine Nationale and felt that his horse was the best in the race.
Connell told Get In on Friday: “Even though I’ve won a Grade One before I’ve never had a horse like this – he’s a freak!
“He’s got everything you want in a horse to take to Cheltenham. He’s got incredible speed.
“I was lucky enough to have a first-class champion, but this guy is very fast and he can handle it.
“I’m just scratching the surface and I’m not worried about Facile Vega – I think I have the best horse in the race.
“I’d say we’ll get more runners. I’d say a lot of people would love that opportunity this year, but we’ve got Grade One horses.”
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Patrick Mullins thinks Facile Vega can beat Marine Nationale in the Supreme Novice Hurdle.
Facile Vega has found his way back to the top of the Supreme market despite a very disappointing run at the Dublin Racing Festival, finishing well-beaten behind stablemate Il Etait Temps.
The son of the multiple winner of the Quevega Festival had a reason for that run, as he looked very difficult in the early stages on Paul Townend, who was criticized after the race by trainer Willie Mullins.
And although he comes to the Festival with a point to prove, assistant trainer Patrick Mullins feels he remains the horse to beat and is still in the best form of the race.
“I rode him this week and I can’t imagine swinging home straight,” Mullins told the Get In team.
“He had a Group level flat horse race up to the first few [at Leopardstown] and I thought his form in Christmas is the best show of the year.
“If he comes back, I think he will be hard to beat.
“What Barry [Connell] it’s been amazing this year, to find not one but two. Marine Nationale is looking very good and Michael O’Sullivan is a good young jockey.
“I think we have the edge but maybe Barry’s horse will improve again.”
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