
Ep 145: The Racing Edge Podcast Ep 63 – Barry Connell talks Punchestown plans for Marine Nationale
From The Irish Field podcasts by The Irish Field
April 21, 2026 · 1h 4m
About this episode
Barry Connell discusses Marine Nationale's upcoming race and shares insights on various horses and racing events.
The countdown is on ahead of the 2026 Punchestown Festival, and trainer Barry Connell joins this week’s episode of The Racing Edge Podcast to discuss Marine Nationale’s bid for back-to-back wins in the Grade 1 William Hill Champion Chase. Last season’s runaway winner missed the Cheltenham Festival this term, but Connell provides up an upbeat bulletin before his stable star’s anticipated clash with Il Etait Temps next week. He also gives a bumper horse to follow ahead of a possible debut at Kilbeggan this week, and updates listeners on William Munny and Eachtotheirown. Mark Boylan is joined by Mark Costello and Anne Marie Duff to look back on the classic trial action of the past week, with Anne Marie believing there is value to be found in the 2000 Guineas ante-post market. Mark Costello offers a detailed assessment of the picture surrounding Thurles Racecourse, hot on the heels of news that the track will remain open for the coming year. There are also reflections on trade at last week’s Tattersalls Craven Breeze-Up Sale. The team nominate their usual horses to follow from the week and look ahead to Saturday’s quality card at Sandown. Those…
People in this episode
Host: Mark Boylan
Guest: Barry Connell
Topics covered
- horse racing
- Punchestown Festival
- Grade 1 Champion Chase
- horse training
- racecourse updates
- betting insights
Keywords
- Marine Nationale
- Punchestown
- Cheltenham Festival
- Tattersalls Craven Breeze-Up Sale
- 2000 Guineas
- Thurles Racecourse
- Kilbeggan
- horse racing tips
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: William Hill, Tattersalls
Products: The Punchestown Edge
Places: Punchestown, Kilbeggan, Thurles Racecourse
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