The participation of reigning champion Fact To File in the prestigious Ryanair Chase at the Cheltenham Festival is shrouded in uncertainty, with owner JP McManus confronting a critical last-minute call. The Willie Mullins-trained gelding, who triumphed in this race in 2025, had been the overwhelming odds-on favourite to defend his title on St. Patrick's Thursday, but concerns over the ground conditions have prompted his team to consider a dramatic withdrawal.
Ground Conditions Spark Withdrawal Fears
Fact To File arrived at the Festival in formidable form, fresh off a commanding five-length victory in the Irish Gold Cup. However, the going at Cheltenham, described as Good to Good to Soft, has not softened sufficiently despite persistent morning rainfall to satisfy McManus's team. Frank Berry, McManus's racing manager, expressed significant apprehension, stating, "I’m very worried about the ground, it’s up in the air at the moment." This uncertainty casts a shadow over the horse's ability to perform at his peak, leading to intense speculation about his withdrawal.
Race Dynamics and Historical Performance
The Ryanair Chase is a Grade 1 event for horses aged five and older, contested over an intermediate distance of two miles, four and a half furlongs. It serves as an ideal test for steeds that may find the longer Gold Cup too demanding. Fact To File excelled in this race last year, delivering a masterclass performance by tracking the leading trio before jockey Mark Walsh propelled him to the front at the third-to-last jump. He then cleared the final fence with ease and galloped to a resounding nine-length victory, a feat many anticipated he would replicate this afternoon if conditions permitted.
Impact on the Race Lineup
Should Fact To File be withdrawn, the race dynamics would shift dramatically. McManus has a second contender in the field, Jonbon, trained by Nicky Henderson and ridden by Nico de Boinville. Jonbon boasts an impressive record, having never finished outside the top two in 27 races, with 20 wins to his name. Positioned as a close rival with morning odds of 4/1, he is poised to become a frontrunner in Fact To File's absence. Meanwhile, Willie Mullins also trains Impaire Et Passe, to be ridden by Paul Townend, setting the stage for a potentially tight contest between Jonbon and Impaire Et Passe to headline the proceedings.
The decision, expected imminently, will not only affect betting markets but also disappoint racegoers who had eagerly anticipated seeing the champion defend his crown. As the clock ticks down to the race, all eyes remain on McManus and his team, whose call could redefine the outcome of one of Cheltenham's most anticipated events.
