The Cheltenham Festival has just got underway and Michael O’Sullivan with Marine National did enough to overcome favourite Facile Vega in the Supreme Novices Hurdle.
After the race, O’Sullivan spoke to ITV Racing and couldn’t contain his happiness, he said: “It’s unbelievable, a massive relief, I’m just so lucky to be on this horse and for Barry O’Connell to put his faith in me and all his team at home, they work so hard and really welcome me in there.”
He followed on to explain how easy it was in the end: “We’re having an amazing season. I don’t know if it can be topped, the horse is just incredible. I turned in there and I didn’t know what I was holding on to, but he actually won easily.”
Marine National had the speed up the Cheltenham Hill to overcome Facile Vega and claim his first one at the Cheltenham Festival.
The Irish jockey rounded off his winning speech by sharing his support for his family, he explained: “Days like this is what I’ve been dreaming of since I was riding ponies at three, four years of age and my father, my grandmother and mother and my family they’ve been so supportive of me and to get a day like this.”
Make sure to stay tuned to our live blog coverage of the Cheltenham Festival, as we’ll bring you all the news from the Arkle Challenge Trophy Novices Chase.
