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Marine Nationale will not defend his title in the BetMGM Queen Mother Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival next week following a setback. The nine year old claimed the two-mile trophy with a stunning 18-length triumph 12 months ago, his second Festival win having previously secured the Supreme Novices' Hurdle in 2023.

Whilst he had been beaten into second on his two previous runs at Leopardstown this season, his team were optimistic he would demonstrate his real ability on his return to Prestbury Park next week, but he has now been withdrawn.

Marine Nationale's owner and trainer Barry Connell told the Press Association: "When we went to see him this morning he was very sore through his neck. I'm not sure, but he may have got cast (in his box).

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"We got the vet in and the vet put him on pain (relief) medication and he's just feeling very sorry for himself. If it happened a couple of weeks ago we might have been all right, but we're just out of time.

"He's been the soundest horse we've ever trained – he's never sick and he's never lame – but it is what it is. We don't think it's anything too serious and we'll hopefully have him back for Punchestown."

Marine Nationale's withdrawal has resulted in Majborough going odds-on favourite for next Wednesday's showpiece.

The Willie Mullins horse is the 4-6 (from 5-4) favourite with Coral for the Queen Mother Champion Chase. Marine Nationale had been a 2-1 second choice.. L'Eau Du Sud is 7-2 (from 7-1) second favourite, ahead of Il Etait Temps at 5-1.

"Majborough had been favourite for the Champion Chase since he beat Marine Nationale at Leopardstown last month, and following the news that the latter won't be lining up at Cheltenham next week, JP McManus's runner has joined his stablemate, Fact To File, as the shortest priced contender for a race at this year's Festival," said Coral's David Stevens.