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Michael O’Sullivan cannot wait to be reunited with Marine Nationale in the Irish Arkle at Leopardstown following his impressive chase debut success.

Barry Connell's charge proved he was the real deal over hurdles last season when defeating Facile Vega in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival and with the latter disappointing over fences before Marine Nationale had even made his chasing bow, the seven-year-old was already a warm ante-post favourite for this year's Arkle in March despite not having jumped a fence in public.

Soft ground caused delays to Marine Nationale's chasing debut, but the son of French Navy made sure it was well worth the wait when routing his rivals by eight and a half lengths in a beginners chase at Leopardstown over the Christmas period.

Understandably, jockey Michael O'Sullivan is looking forward to being reunited with the rising star in the Goffs Irish Arkle at Dublin's Racing Festival at the beginning of next month.

Speaking to Leopardstown Racecourse, he said: "It was brilliant (at Leopardstown) – I suppose relief more than anything. (There was) a lot of pressure on his first run over fences, but for it to have gone so well was fantastic,"

"He's such an intelligent horse, you can see him looking at all his fences, but I suppose until they go and do it on the track, there is still that doubt. He was very, very good.

"He really enjoyed it, and he has come out of the race well.

"It was nice to show people that he is a versatile horse, a straightforward horse. For him to bowl along out in front, it was a lovely performance and, hopefully, he can build on that.

"I suppose last year as Barry said, we were under the radar a small bit but this year all eyes are on us. You could definitely feel that in Leopardstown. A Supreme winner on his first run over fences, there was a lot of attention.

"Obviously, we were all nervous, but we were happy with his work. He took a lot more work this year and I'd say he will come on from it a lot.

"We are looking forward to Leopardstown again the next day."

Marine Nationale is already as short as 4/6 to land the Arkle Chase at the showpiece meeting in March.