Cheltenham Festival Rocked by Last-Minute Withdrawal of Top Contender
In a dramatic turn of events at the Cheltenham Festival, champion trainer Willie Mullins withdrew the odds-on favourite Fact To File from the Ryanair Chase on Thursday. The decision came after Mullins deemed the ground conditions unsuitable for the Irish Gold Cup winner, sparking controversy over track management and watering practices.
Ground Conditions Spark Trainer's Fury
Mullins expressed significant dissatisfaction with the state of the going at the prestigious track. The official description listed the ground as good, with good to soft in places, but Mullins had anticipated much softer conditions for defending the Ryanair crown. "We walked the track this morning, JP walked the track this morning, I happened to walk it," Mullins explained. "Coming across the track from exercising horses and I thought wow this ground is going to be too good."
The trainer revealed that connections had waited throughout the day for promised rain that never materialized. Track officials had applied selective watering of 3-5mm as racing moved to the New Course after two dry days, with another 2-3mm forecast for the afternoon. However, Mullins remained unconvinced. "We were promised watering and I'm not sure the watering we were promised has been done," he stated, adding that he felt "a little bit annoyed" about the situation.
High Stakes Decision for Elite Horse
Fact To File, owned by JP McManus, represents one of the finest chasers in training. The horse had captured the Ryanair Chase in 2025 and was under serious consideration for the Cheltenham Gold Cup following an impressive victory in the Irish Gold Cup. Mullins emphasized the careful consideration behind the withdrawal: "These horses are too hard to find, too hard to get. We would like to have soft in the description of the ground."
The trainer elaborated on his philosophy regarding top-tier national hunt horses: "Good ground is not good enough for the type of individual we are buying and trying to race and have the top horses at the best festival. If the ground is going to be like this we are not going to bring them." He acknowledged that while the conditions suited some horses, the majority of elite jumpers require softer going.
Race Proceeds Without the Favourite
In the absence of Fact To File, Jonbon carried the McManus hopes for another Cheltenham success. While Jonbon maintained his remarkable record of never finishing outside the top two places, he was comprehensively beaten by the Henry de Bromhead-trained Heart Wood, ridden to victory by jockey Darragh O'Keeffe.
The withdrawal highlights ongoing tensions between trainers and course officials regarding ground preparation at major festivals. Mullins' comments underscore the delicate balance required in maintaining optimal conditions for diverse equine athletes while managing weather uncertainties and logistical challenges.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the meticulous planning and risk assessment involved in top-level horse racing, where multi-million pound investments and carefully crafted campaigns can be derailed by environmental factors beyond human control.
