THERE was another surprise in the BetMGM Queen Mother Champion Chase, as one of the bankers of the meeting, Jonbon (5/6 favourite), blew his chances with an early blunder. Sean Flanagan made the most of the opportunity aboard Marine Nationale (5/1), as Barry Connell’s charge stormed home to an 18-length victory.

Michael O’Sullivan was in many people’s thoughts, with the late jockey having partnered Marine Nationale to win the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle two years prior, and indeed rode him to win his first six starts of his career.

Luck was on Marine Nationale’s side as he disputed from the second last on Wednesday and was left in the lead when Quilixios crashed out at the last. As the rest of the field faded, Jonbon stayed on under Nico de Boinville to take second, a length and a quarter ahead of the 10-year-old Captain Guinness (25/1) and Rachael Blackmore.

“It’s hugely emotional for a lot of reasons,” Sean Flanagan said after crossing the line. “First and foremost, his (Michael O’Sullivan’s) family obviously have to find it very hard. All the jockeys in Ireland, the UK and in the world have been under a cloud for the last couple of weeks.

“I’m only the man that steered him round today, Michael is the man who made him what he is. He will never be forgotten for that.”

“I think the horse hasn’t got his credit since he won the Supreme Novices’,” Barry Connell later commented. “People forget that he only had two runs last year so he’s effectively a novice this year, and we were having to plan a campaign to gradually get him his experience.

“He loves this place and comes alive here. We were very confident coming today but understated, because I was too confident the last day and didn’t want to do that again. He travels, he jumps - he’s everything you want in a Champion Chaser.

Reflecting on Michael O’Sullivan’s previous association with Marine Nationale, Connell said: “The obvious thing is how poignant and how raw the whole thing has been over the past three or four weeks - that’s been horrendous.

“Michael and I went on a journey with this horse; he rode him in all his races in his novice season over hurdles. He ended winning three Grade 1s as a claimer, leading rider on the first day, and then leading conditional. I’ve asked racing historians and I don’t think they can find anyone who did all that.

“It is a tragedy that he’s left us, but its a record that he can be really proud of. He’s achieved more in a lifetime than a lot of riders who have been riding a lot longer can ever achieve. So, I’d like to dedicate this win to Michael and his girlfriend Charlotte, who’s here.”