Marine Nationale and Majborough Christmas Showdown

David Cummings / 8:20 AM GMT • 18th December, 2025

2 minutes

Champion chaser set for seasonal return as a deep Grade 1 field gathers for Leopardstown’s festive two-mile showdown

Marine Nationale and Majborough headline a strong list of 11 entries for the Grade 1 Paddy’s Rewards Club Chase at Leopardstown on 27 December, one of the festive season’s key early tests for the two-mile chasing division.

The reigning Queen Mother Champion Chase winner Marine Nationale is set to make his seasonal return, with trainer Barry Connell confirming the eight-year-old remains firmly on course. Ground conditions appear to be the main variable, although Connell suggested conditions are far more likely to be on the quicker side than overly testing.

Marine Nationale has shown his very best form on good to yielding ground, having won the Supreme Novices’ Hurdleand Royal Bond on soft rather than heavy going. Connell has been keen to avoid bottomless winter ground on the horse’s first run back, particularly given his light frame and fluent action.

This season marks a different scenario for Marine Nationale, who is now a far more seasoned operator over fences. Earlier in his career, he had to overcome a suspensory injury and a lack of chasing experience, learning on the job against elite two-mile opposition. That development curve culminated last spring when he dominated the Champion Chase at Cheltenham before backing it up with a commanding victory at Punchestown.

Connell reports that Marine Nationale has enjoyed a productive summer, arriving at this campaign in excellent physical and mental condition. His jumping has been faultless in recent schooling sessions, including work away from home, and while he is expected to improve for the run, fitness is not a concern.

Should Marine Nationale run well at Leopardstown, the plan is already mapped out, with a return to the track for the Dublin Racing Festival, followed by Cheltenham and Punchestown once again in the spring. Leopardstown’s typically sound Christmas ground is expected to suit him ideally.

Majborough adds further intrigue to the contest and already has a run under his belt this season. The Willie Mullins-trained chaser suffered a surprise defeat in the Hilly Way Chase at Cork, beaten by Found A Fifty, but that outing should have brought him forward and a rematch remains a possibility.

Mullins has also left several other notable names in the race, including Energumene, Hercule Du Seuil and Dinoblue, while Gordon Elliott can call upon Firefox and Touch Me Not.

Last season’s Champion Chase runner-up Captain Guinness is another possible contender, alongside Solness and Only By Night, rounding out a deep and competitive entry list.

With established champions, emerging challengers and multiple Grade 1 winners engaged, the Paddy’s Rewards Club Chase promises to provide a significant early-season pointer for the two-mile division as the Irish Christmas Festival gets under way.