Michael O'Sullivan couldn't hide his emotion on Tuesday after he and Marine Nationale beat the bookies favourite Facile Vega to the post in the Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle on day one at Cheltenham.
Despite having some distance left to cover, the last jump was successfully cleared, making the outcome of the race inevitable. O'Sullivan, riding the 9-2 shot raced ahead of Facile Vega and secured a victory by three and a quarter lengths.
Thriller in the Royal Bond! — Sporting Life Racing (@SportingLife) December 4, 2022
Marine Nationale tanks through the race and recovers from an untidy jump at the last to run down Irish Point!
👏 A breakthrough Grade 1 winner for Barry Connellpic.twitter.com/zGEo5KuUcq
The win was his first at the festival.
Speaking to ITV Racing, the jockey an emotional O'Sullivan said: "Unbelievable,"
"A massive relief. I’m so, so lucky to get on this horse.
"We’re having an amazing season.
"The horse is just incredible. I turned in there and I wasn’t sure what I was holding on to but, by God, he won easily.
"Days like these are what I’ve been dreaming of since I was riding ponies. All my family have been so supportive of me."
Yesterday trainer Barry O'Connell told the Racing Post on Monday, "I'm not normally one to bang the drum but I think we have the best horse"
O'Connell said today that he always believed his views and that it he wasn't hyping up the horse for no reason.
"I told the whole of Ireland to back him and Good Land in the Ballymore," Connell told RacingTV on Tuesday. "If I'd got it wrong, I'd have to have worn a disguise on the boat home.
"I genuinely thought I had the best horse in both races so why not say it?
"This horse could win a Group One on the Flat, he's the fastest horse I've ever trained.
"He'll be back here for the Arkle next year. If Constitution Hill wasn't around, you'd think about the Champion Hurdle."
"He's an absolute freak... we have the best horse in the race" — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) March 3, 2023
Just listen to Barry Connell talk about Supreme hopeful Marine Nationale 👀 #SkyGetIn pic.twitter.com/bozzPF36vA
