Ireland’s top two-milers set for another close-knit ding-dong with seven Dublin Chase entries

Ireland’s leading two-milers are set for another close-knit ding-dong with seven entries in the Dublin Chase.

The first three home from the Paddy’s Rewards Club Chase at Leopardstown’s Christmas meeting – Solness, Marine Nationale and Majborough – are all heading back for another scrap at the Dublin Racing Festival.

Bar Il Etait Temps and Quilixios, these are the best speedsters the Emerald Isle has to offer.

Amid some uncertainty regarding Marine Nationale’s participation over ground concerns, the enigma that is Majborough has been supported into favourite ahead of Sunday’s Grade 1.

The immensely talented six-year-old has the world at his hooves when putting it all together but he’s failed to make his mark so far this season in open company.

He was a beaten favourite at odds-on in the Hilly Way Chase at Cork on reappearance when bad habits started to creep in early on, drifting left on the approach to his fences and getting in anxiously tight.

It was a poor round of jumping, the Achilles heel of his career. He would have won the Arkle in a walk had he successfully navigated the last two obstacles at Cheltenham last year and there appears to be little or no improvement in that department.

He was able to get away with it on occasions as a novice but he is now learning his elders will happily punish him for those errors.

After the Hilly Way, Willie Mullins said he was unsure if more schooling would be able to iron it out and perhaps the son of Martinborough is simply a long-term project who needs time and experience to mature properly.

His supporters in the market returned at Christmas, sent off at 6/4 and while there were no horrendous mistakes this time he was far from fluent throughout.

He took a lead off Solness which seemed to help but alarm bells were raised with his finishing effort, arriving with every chance up the run-in but failing to capitalise on a gap that opened up between the first two.

Is it right to question his attitude or did a swift 20-day turnaround play against him?

Slower ground will be of aid to Majborough, Leopardstown is a suitable track in theory but he is still the riskiest of propositions and makes no appeal at the prices.

He needs to prove he can get his head back in front again.

Now that’s a finish to warm you up!🔥Solness and Sam Ewing hold off Marine Nationale and Majborough in an absolute cracker for the 2025 Paddy’s Rewards Club Chase at @LeopardstownRC pic.twitter.com/Mm9eFgobij

— Horse Racing Ireland (@HRIRacing) December 27, 2025

Connell plans to run Marine Nationale on a reasonable surface

Barry Connell has stated despite the incredible downpour in Dublin recently, he intends to run Marine Nationale subject to the chase track being a reasonable surface.

Fresh ground will be used on Sunday which should make his decision easier and there will be a big discrepancy between the chase and hurdles tracks, with the latter where flat racing is staged and watered throughout the summer.

Earlier this month Connell revealed all the nine-year-old needs to do to land this prize is put in a clear round of jumping and his bullish claims were well-received.

Marine Nationale made a pleasing return to action in the Paddy’s Rewards Club Chase, beaten just a half length despite making a near disastrous error at the second fence and forfeiting ultimately crucial ground.

His effort was commendable but if any heavy rain was to arrive in the build-up that would be a cause for concern. Connell has described the son of French Navy as a light-actioned horse who prefers decent conditions.

He may not need to be at the peak of his powers to win here though and the reigning Champion Chaser is going to be dangerous regardless.

He has Grade 1 form on soft over hurdles and Connell is adamant he just doesn’t want it heavy, which seems unlikely at this stage. Marine Nationale was without question the one to take out of Christmas and he is the one to beat here.

Both of his wins at the Cheltenham and Punchestown Festivals last season painted the picture of a complete, professional athlete who has finally found his mojo over fences.

Forgetting one blip on reappearance, Marine Nationale is doing everything right at the moment.

Course expert Solness back for more Grade 1 glory

Solness can’t be dismissed around this track and we’ve seen it enough times to know when he finds a smooth rhythm in front he can be very hard to pass.

He’s unbeaten in three runs over fences at Leopardstown, all Grade 1s including this race last year. He jumps for fun and finds plenty for pressure when the chips are down.

He faces a different type of test looking at the threat Marine Nationale has grown into since the spring though and it’d be no surprise to see the form reversed this time.

Solness is another who doesn’t like the ground to be overly soft and it could play against him more than it will hinder Marine Nationale.

Sooner or later his perfect record will come to a close and the stage is set for it this weekend.

Energumene, Found A Fifty and Senecia to round off field of six

Prolific mud lover and two-time Champion Chaser Energumene will be hoping for as much rain as possible to boost his chances. At 12 years of age he doesn’t quite have the pace to consistently compete at this level but the ground certainly gives him a small poke.

He won an Irish Arkle here on soft ground in 2021 and if heavy somehow appears in the going description, connections can start dreaming of rolling back the years but it’s a slim chance at best.

Found A Fifty was a game winner of the Hilly Way to Majborough in December and he’ll also enjoy a stamina test. He was beaten a fair way at Christmas though and needs his rivals to underperform.

Only By Night is likely to head for a handicap hurdle instead and Senecia, if taking his place will make up the numbers.