Sean Flanagan rode Marine Nationale to an emotional victory within the Queen Mom Champion Chase on the Cheltenham Pageant as favorite Jonbon got here up quick.
Jonbon (4-1) was extensively anticipated to ship victory for coach JP McManus, however he was struggling instantly after a really messy begin and, when he clattered the fifth-last fence, his hopes of victory had primarily gone.
Marine Nationale (5-1) went into the ultimate fence simply forward of Quilixios (40-1) and, when the latter fell, it allowed jockey Sean Flanagan to level to the sky as he claimed a triumph that may dwell on in Cheltenham folklore.
It’s a win that comes slightly below a month after the tragic passing of jockey Michael O’Sullivan on the age of 24. O’Sullivan died on February 16 following extreme accidents sustained in a fall at Thurles.
O’Sullivan rode Marine Nationale to victory within the Supreme Novices Hurdle in 2023, and the eight-year-old proved his high quality once more with Flanagan within the saddle, as Nico de Boinville’s restoration trip noticed Jonbon take second.
Probably the most poignant of winners!
Marine Nationale wins the BetMGM Queen Mom Champion Chase 🏆#ITVRacing | #CheltenhamFestival | @swflanagan7 pic.twitter.com/dn2KQlSjj5
— ITV Racing (@itvracing) March 12, 2025
“He made him what he’s”
O’Sullivan’s girlfriend Charlotte was in attendance at Cheltenham, having hung out within the secure with the horse with which her late accomplice had such a transparent connection earlier within the week.
And each Flanagan and coach Barry Connell paid tribute to O’Sullivan following a win that appeared written within the stars.
“It’s vastly emotional for lots of causes,” Flanagan informed ITV. “His household discover it very onerous, jockeys in Eire, England and around the globe have been underneath a cloud within the final couple of weeks.
“Michael. That is for you”
Sean Flanagan pays his respects to Michael O’Sullivan, who gained this race on Marine Nationale two years in the past #ITVRacing | #CheltenhamFestival | @swflanagan7 | @AlicePlunkett pic.twitter.com/JeXNZbEF4L
— ITV Racing (@itvracing) March 12, 2025
“Michael is the person that made him what he’s, he by no means actually forgot him for that.”
Connell added: “It gained’t sink in for a very long time. The final three or 4 weeks have been horrendous.
“Michael and I went on a journey with this horse. It’s devastating Michael shouldn’t be with us.
“I’d wish to dedicate this win to Michael and his girlfriend Charlotte. Our hearts exit to Michael and his household. Hopefully it is a becoming finish.”
De Boinville blasts horrendous begin
Jonbon was left with an infinite quantity of floor to make up after almost unseating De Boinville.
However the harm was executed in the beginning. After an preliminary false begin, Jonbon received away very slowly and by no means actually regarded like catching up, together with his eventual runners-up end the product of errors forward of him.
“Horrendous”
Nico De Boinville was not pleased with the beginning, during which the tape was beneath Jonbon’s nostril #ITVRacing | #CheltenhamFestival | @MCYeeehaaa pic.twitter.com/Alls8yKjVO
— ITV Racing (@itvracing) March 12, 2025
In short feedback to ITV, De Boinville made his irritation with how the beginning was dealt with abundantly clear.
“I’m not blaming anybody, however he didn’t just like the tape beneath his nostril,” DeBoinville mentioned.
“[The start was] horrendous.”
Jazzy Matty makes it magical double
It was already an extremely poignant day following Marine Nationale’s victory, however Jazzy Matty made it doubly so by prevailing within the Grand Annual Chase.
Sudden Occasion led going into the flip, however 15-2 shot Jazzy Matty got here by way of to take victory, simply as he did in 2023 within the Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle with O’Sullivan within the saddle.
With each horses that gained on the identical day with O’Sullivan at Cheltenham two years in the past once more rising triumphant simply weeks after his dying, Jazzy Matty’s jockey Danny Gilligan summed it up fantastically.
“I feel everyone knows there’s somebody very particular wanting down on us immediately,” he informed ITV after crossing the road.
“Everyone knows somebody very particular is wanting down on us immediately” ♥️#ITVRacing | #CheltenhamFestival | @DannyGilligan8 | @AlicePlunkett pic.twitter.com/uV7D1izCgg
— ITV Racing (@itvracing) March 12, 2025
Earlier within the day, The New Lion (3-1) stretched his unbeaten run to 5 races by profitable the Turner’s Novices Hurdle, giving McManus his eightieth Cheltenham win.
Lecky Watson (20-1) was a shock victor for coach Willie Mullins within the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase. Mullins then noticed one other outsider, Jimmy Du Seuil (16-1), declare the Coral Cup.
Topweight and favorite Stumptown (5-2) gave jockey Keith Donoghue a document fifth success within the Glenfarclas Cross Nation Chase.
