---
title: "Marine Nationale On Course For Punchestown Festival Return"
canonical: "https://readhorseracing.com/2026/04/18/marine-nationale-punchestown-festival-return-champion-chase/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Andy Newton"
section: "News"
published: "2026-04-18T10:34:55Z"
modified: "2026-04-18T14:27:09Z"
---

# Marine Nationale On Course For Punchestown Festival Return

**Marine Nationale is set to return to the track at the Punchestown Festival at the end of April, according to his trainer Barry Connell – where he’s set to take on Cheltenham hero Il Etait Temps.**

## **Marine Nationale and Il Etait Temps To Clash at Punchestown Festival**

The Barry Connell-trained **MARINE NATIONALE** had to miss the [2026 Cheltenham Festival](https://readhorseracing.com/2026/03/10/cheltenham-festival-racecards-2026-times-schedule/) due to a setback, but with connections reporting him ‘fine now’ – racing fans can look forward to seeing him at the **Punchestown Festival**.

Due to not running at Cheltenham, the 2025 Queen Mother Champion Chase winner had to give up his title – with the race going to the Willie Mullins-trained Il Etait Temps.

Who is the horse Marine Nationale’s trainer Barry Connell has often compared his star chaser too.

Having referenced his horse’s 9-length beating of Il Etait Temps in the 2024 Supreme Novices’ Hurdle.

However, after an away-day at Fairyhouse recently, Marine Nationale is back on track to return – with a possible clash with El Etait Temps, with more bragging rights at stake.

The pair are expected to face-off in the **William Hill Champion Chase** at the Punchestown Festival on Tuesday 28th April – a race Marine Nationale also won 12 months ago (watch below).

#### **Barry Connell told the Press Association**

*“It was just unfortunate timing with him before Cheltenham, he’s fine now. He had an away-day at Fairyhouse after the Festival and did a nice piece of work, so he’s on track.*

*“If you were take a positive out of missing Cheltenham I suppose it’s that he goes to Punchestown fresh. He runs well fresh and has won after big breaks before, so it’s not going to be an issue.”*\
*The biggest threat to Marine Nationale appears to be the Willie Mullins-trained Queen Mother Champion Chase hero Il Etait Temps and Connell is relishing the clash.*

He went onto say: *“I think we beat him (Il Etait Temps) by nine lengths in the Supreme (Novices’ Hurdle, 2024) and jumping-wise I wouldn’t say he’s a better jumper than us. I know he beat us in Leopardstown as a novice chaser, but we weren’t right on the day.*

*“We’re happy with our horse, he has won a Champion Chase this year and we won one last year, so it’ll be a good match-up.*

### **WATCH: Marine Nationale Winning The 2025 Champion Chase at Punchestown**

[MARINE NATIONALE oozes class at Punchestown (embedded)](https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/ERDOJ_5XfCM?feature=oembed)

## Punchestown Festival Champion Chase Betting Odds 2026

In what looks a tight betting heat, the 2026 Champion Chase odds see Il Etait Temps the slight favourite at 7/4.

With Marine Nationale next best at 9/4 and Majborough 11/4.

The 2025 runner-up Captain Guinness is 66/1, while the two-time winner Energumene, who returned to winning form recently, is 14/1.

- **Il Etait Temps 7/4**
- **Marine Nationale 9/4**
- **Majborough 11/4**
- **Solness 10/1**
- **Energumene 14/1**
- **Gidleigh Park 33/1**
- **Blood Destiny 50/1**
- **Captain Guinness 66/1**

*Note: Odds listed are subject to change.*

## **When Is The 2026 Punchestown Festival?****🗓️**

The five-day Punchestown Festival 2026 will run from Tuesday 28th April to Saturday 2nd May.