The build-up to the Cheltenham Festival rarely passes by without late drama. Such is the case in 2026. Hot on the heels of the announcement that Constitution Hill will tackle the Flat rather than the Champion Hurdle, news of a high-profile injury hit the headlines. Unbeaten in two outings at the Cheltenham Festival, the reigning champion chaser, Marine Nationale, is set to miss the meeting. Well-fancied in the market, the Barry Connell-trained star will not defend his Queen Mother crown.
Timing of Injury a Pain in the Neck for Connell
Marine Nationale will miss the meeting following a neck injury discovered on Tuesday, 3 March. The cause of the ailment is yet to be confirmed, but it is believed the nine-year-old may have been cast in his box. While the injury is not thought to be serious, the administered pain medication won’t be out of the horse’s system in time for the Cheltenham Festival.
This news represents a significant blow to County Kildare trainer Barry Connell, particularly as he also owns the horse. Lamenting the timing of the injury, Connell stated:
“It’s just one week out of the 52 of the year he’s not sound – it’s horrendous luck. Hopefully, we have him back for Punchestown.”
Marine Nationale’s impeccable record at the March meeting only adds to the frustration. On his 2023 Cheltenham Festival debut, he handed the late Michael O’Sullivan a breakout success in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle. Missing the 2024 Festival through injury, he returned in 2025 to post a resounding 18-length victory in the Queen Mother Champion Chase.
While beaten by Majborough in the Dublin Chase last time, hopes were high that better ground and a return to the scene of his finest hour might see him reverse that form. Sadly, we must now wait for another year to discover whether the son of French Navy can add his name to the list of three-time Cheltenham Festival winners.
Jonbon Also Misses Out
Following the news, there was some speculation that the absence of Marine Nationale may encourage Nicky Henderson to target the Champion Chase with Jonbon. However, that prospect was always a long shot, considering Jonbon carries the same JP McManus silks as the current favourite for the race, Majborough. Henderson confirmed those suspicions on Wednesday afternoon, when ruling Jonbon out of the 2m showpiece.
The Seven Barrows handler went on to suggest that “in all probability”, the 12-time Grade 1 winner would miss the Cheltenham Festival entirely. With the Champion Chase off the table for a horse who has finished second at three Cheltenham Festivals, Jonbon’s only remaining option is the Ryanair Chase. Much like the Queen Mother Champion Chase, JP McManus is already responsible for the Ryanair favourite, this time in the shape of defending champ Fact To File, making Jonbon’s participation unlikely. If Fact To File is rerouted to the Gold Cup, Jonbon may yet take his place in the Ryanair field, but, for now, he is most likely to wait for the Aintree Bowl at the Grand National Meeting.
Majborough Hardens at Head of the Market
Already the market leader for the Day 2 feature, Majborough is now one of the shortest-priced favourites at the 2026 Cheltenham Festival. Another member of the typically strong JP McManus team, this Willie Mullins star has long been spoken of in glowing terms by his handler. With six wins from 10 outings, he has largely delivered on the hype. Significantly, he also heads to the Champion Chase on the back of a big career best, having routed the Dublin Chase field by 19 lengths in February.
On that Leopardstown display, and with Marine Nationale out of the running, it is easy to understand why the six-year-old is as short as 4/6 in places. However, he started at 1/2 for his Arkle Chase assignment in 2025 and finished only third following an error-strewn round of jumping.
Skelton Leads British Charge
Hailing from the yard of British Trainers’ Championship leader Dan Skelton, L’Eau du Sud may provide the biggest threat to Majborough in this £400,000 contest.
Now eight years old, L’Eau du Sud has yet to break his Cheltenham Festival duck but has performed with credit in his two previous appearances. Second to the Mullins-trained Absurde in the 2024 County Hurdle, he then went down by 1½l when fourth in the 2025 Arkle Chase. That effort would suggest he has work to do with Majborough, who finished ahead of L’Eau du Sud despite producing a trio of jumping howlers. That said, L’Eau du Sud looked better than ever when winning the Shloer Chase over this course and distance by 15 lengths in November. Not seen at the track since December, he arrives as a fresher horse than in 2025 and may at least give the market leader something to think about.
The absence of Marine Nationale robs the Queen Mother Champion Chase of a little star quality. However, with the brilliant but error-prone Majborough, talented L’Eau du Sud, six-time Grade 1 winner Il Etait Temps, and the trailblazing Thistle Ask in the lineup, the Queen Mother Champion Chase still provides a thrilling centrepiece to Day 2.