Ryanair Chase |
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| Grade 1, Cheltenham 15:20 £375,000 guaranteed, 5yo plus, 2m 4f 127y, Class 1  |
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Trained by Willie Mullins, Fact To File has demonstrated versatility and class. After securing victory in the 2024 Brown Advisory Novices' Chase, he made an impressive seasonal reappearance by winning the John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase. Although initially aimed at the Cheltenham Gold Cup, connections are considering the Ryanair Chase as a viable alternative, especially if he faces strong competition in the Gold Cup division. His proven stamina and Grade 1 experience make him a formidable contender.
Il Est Francais has shown promise on the French racing circuit. Despite a commendable effort in the King George VI Chase, he was bested by Banbridge. Trainer James Reveley has indicated that while the Ryanair Chase is a potential target, the Queen Mother Champion Chase is also under consideration. His connections are evaluating the optimal distance and competition level to maximize his performance at Cheltenham.
Another talented charge from Willie Mullins' yard, Gaelic Warrior, boasts a notable victory in the Arkle Novices' Chase at the 2024 Cheltenham Festival. However, his recent withdrawal from the King George VI Chase has introduced uncertainty regarding his current form and intended targets. While he holds entries for both the Champion Chase and the Ryanair Chase, his participation will depend on his recovery and fitness leading up to the festival.
Banbridge has emerged as a strong contender, particularly after his victory in the King George VI Chase, where he outperformed Il Est Francais. This performance underscores his ability to compete at the highest level over intermediate distances. His connections are likely to favor the Ryanair Chase, aligning with his proven aptitude over the 2m4f trip.
Does he stay? You bet he does! 👊
— Kempton Park Racecourse (@kemptonparkrace) December 26, 2024
Banbridge runs down long-time leader Il Est Francais, with the pair a long way clear, to win the @Ladbrokes King George VI Chase.
Congratulations @JosephOBrien2 and @PTownend 👏y pic.twitter.com/G2KBSJhEYW
The 2024 Ryanair Chase winner, Protektorat, trained by Dan Skelton, has maintained consistent form. His experience and previous success in this race make him a credible contender for a repeat victory. However, he will face stiff competition from emerging talents and seasoned rivals, necessitating peak performance to defend his title.
In summary, the 2025 Ryanair Chase promises a thrilling contest with a blend of seasoned champions and rising stars. Final decisions regarding race entries will hinge on upcoming performances and assessments of optimal race conditions for each horse.
Ryanair Chase (Grade 1)
£375,000 guaranteed, 5yo plus, 2m 4f 127y, Class 1
28 remaining entries
Going:
NO. FORM HORSE AGE WGT TRAINER JOCKEY (form as of Feb 19)
1 9-14U1 Banbridge 9 11-10 Joseph O'Brien
2 213-P3 Blood Destiny 6 11-10 W P Mullins
3 /4-463 Blue Lord 10 11-10 W P Mullins
4 6U5870 Conflated 11 11-10 Gordon Elliott
5 8-2121 Djelo 7 11-10 Venetia Williams
6 11P2-F El Fabiolo 8 11-10 W P Mullins
7 311/12 Energumene 11 11-10 W P Mullins
8 224-1U Envoi Allen 11 11-10 Henry De Bromhead
9 11-123 Fact To File 8 11-10 W P Mullins
10 P21243 Fil Dor 7 11-10 Gordon Elliott
11 21-11P Found A Fifty 8 11-10 Gordon Elliott
12 U1-223 Gaelic Warrior 7 11-10 W P Mullins
13 2-2295 Ga Law 9 11-10 Jamie Snowden
14 -U3575 Gentleman De Mee 9 11-10 W P Mullins
15 22-P30 Ginny's Destiny 9 11-10 Paul Nicholls
16 11-P62 Grangeclare West 9 11-10 W P Mullins
17 -21324 Hang In There 11 11-10 Emma Lavelle
18 13-124 Heart Wood 7 11-10 Henry De Bromhead
19 83-222 Hitman 9 11-10 Paul Nicholls
20 15-1P2 Il Est Francais 7 11-10 Noel George & Amanda Zetterholm
21 1-7633 Journey With Me 9 11-10 Henry De Bromhead
22 17-134 JPR One 8 11-10 Joe Tizzard
23 /416-1 Jungle Boogie 11 11-10 Henry De Bromhead
24 4P-105 Le Patron 7 11-10 Gary & Josh Moore
25 2-4F31 Master Chewy 8 11-10 Nigel Twiston-Davies
26 13-621 Protektorat 10 11-10 Dan Skelton
27 21-125 Spillane's Tower 7 11-10 James Joseph Mangan
28 U-1321 Springwell Bay 8 11-10 Jonjo & A J O'Neill
RYANAIR CHASE - Past Results
2018-WINNER-BALKO DES FLOS 7-11-10 Owner-Gigginstown House Stud; Trainer-Henry de Bromhead IRE; Jockey-Davy
Russell; SP-8/1
2ND-Un De Sceaux 10-11-10 Owner-Edward O’Connell; Trainer-Willie Mullins IRE; Jockey-Paul Townend; SP-8/11 Fav
3RD-Cloudy Dream 8-11-10 Owner-Trevor Hemmings; Trainer-Ruth Jefferson; Jockey-Brian Hughes; SP-10/1
6 ran, Time-5m 23.60s Dist-4½, 8
2017-WINNER-UN DE SCEAUX 9-11-10 Owner-Edward O’Connell; Trainer-Willie Mullins IRE; Jockey-Ruby Walsh; SP-7/4 Fav
2ND-Sub Lieutenant 8-11-10 Owner-Gigginstown House Stud; Trainer-Henry de Bromhead IRE; Jockey-David Mullins; SP-8/1
3RD-Aso 7-11-10 Owner-The Bellamy Partnership; Trainer-Venetia Williams; Jockey-Charlie Deutsch; SP-40/1
8 ran, Time-5m 9.60s Dist-11⁄2, 6
2016-WINNER-VAUTOUR 7-11-10 Owner-Susannah Ricci; Trainer-Willie Mullins IRE; Jockey-Ruby Walsh; SP-Evs Fav
2ND-Valseur Lido 7-11-10 Owner-Gigginstown House Stud; Trainer-Willie Mullins IRE; Jockey-David Mullins; SP-11/1
3RD-Road To Riches 9-11-10 Owner-Gigginstown House Stud; Trainer-Noel Meade IRE; Jockey-Bryan Cooper; SP-7/1
15 ran, Time-5m 5.50s Dist-6, 1⁄2
2015-WINNER-UXIZANDRE 7-11-10 Owner-J P McManus; Trainer-Alan King; Jockey- A P McCoy; SP-16/1
2ND-Ma Filleule 7-11-03 Owner-Simon Munir; Trainer-Nicky Henderson; Jockey-Barry Geraghty; SP-5/1
3RD-Don Cossack 8-11-10 Owner-Gigginstown House Stud; Trainer-Gordon Elliott IRE; Jockey-Bryan Cooper; SP-5/2 Fav
14 ran, Time-5m 1.10s Dist-5, 3¼
2014-WINNER-DYNASTE 8-11-10 Owner-John White; Trainer-David Pipe; Jockey-Tom Scudamore; SP-3/1 Fav
2ND-Hidden Cyclone 9-11-10 Owner-David & Mrs A F Mee; Trainer-John Hanlon IRE; Jockey-Andrew McNamara; SP-10/1
3RD-Rajdhani Express 7-11-10 Owner-Robert Waley-Cohen; Trainer-Nicky Henderson; Jockey-Mr Sam Waley-Cohen; SP-18/1
11 ran, Time-5m 9.13s Dist-21⁄4, 21⁄4
2013-WINNER-CUE CARD 7-11-10 Owner-Jean Bishop; Trainer-Colin Tizzard; Jockey-Joe Tizzard; SP-7/2
2ND-First Lieutenant 8-11-10 Owner-Gigginstown House Stud; Trainer-Mouse Morris IRE; Jockey-Bryan Cooper; SP-2/1 Fav
3RD-For Non Stop 8-11-10 Owner-Potensis Limited & Chris Giles; Trainer-Nick Williams; Jockey-Noel Fehily; SP-12/1
8 ran, Time-5m 19.30s Dist-9, 31⁄4
2012-WINNER-RIVERSIDE THEATRE 8-11-10 Owner-Jimmy Nesbitt Partnership; Trainer-Nicky Henderson; Jockey-Barry Geraghty; SP-7/2 Fav
2ND-Albertas Run 11-11-10 Owner-Trevor Hemmings; Trainer-Jonjo O’Neill; Jockey-A P McCoy; SP-10/1
3RD-Medermit 7-11-10 Owner-The Dunkley & Reilly Partnership; Trainer-Alan King; Jockey-Robert Thornton; SP-8/1
12 ran, Time-5m 9.69s Dist- ½, ½
2011-WINNER-ALBERTAS RUN 10-11-10 Owner-Trevor Hemmings; Trainer-Jonjo O’Neill; Jockey-AP McCoy; SP-6/1
2ND-Kalahari King 10-11-10 Owner- Juliet Morgan; Trainer-Ferdy Murphy; Jockey-Graham Lee; SP-7/1
3RD-Rubi Light 6-11-10 Owner-Bill Hennessy; Trainer-Robbie Hennessy IRE; Jockey-Andrew Lynch; SP-16/1
11 ran, Time-5m 7.30s 2/1
Fav Poquelin (4th)
2010-WINNER-ALBERTAS RUN 9-11-10 Owner-Trevor Hemmings; Trainer-Jonjo O’Neill; Jockey-Tony McCoy; SP-14/1
2ND-Poquelin 7-11-10 Owner-The Stewart Family; Trainer-Paul Nicholls; Jockey-Ruby Walsh; SP-11/4 Fav
3RD-J’y Vole 7-11-03 Owner-Hammer & Trowell Syndicate; Trainer-Willie Mullins IRE; Jockey-Davy Condon; SP-28/1
13 ran, Time-5m 11.63s Dist-4.5, nse
2009-WINNER-IMPERIAL COMMANDER 8-11-10 Owner-Our Friends In The North; Trainer-Nigel Twiston-Davies; Jockey-Paddy Brennan; SP-6/1
2ND-Voy Por Ustedes 8-11-10 Owner-Sir Robert Ogden; Trainer-Alan King; Jockey-Robert Thornton; SP-4/5 Fav
3RD-Schindlers Hunt 9-11-10 Owner-Slaneyville Syndicate; Trainer-Dessie Hughes IRE; Jockey-Paddy Flood; SP-22/1
10 ran, Time-5m 18.34s Dist-2, 0.75
2008-WINNER-OUR VIC 10-11-10 Owner-David Johnson; Trainer-David Pipe; Jockey-Timmy Murphy; SP-4/1
2ND-Mossbank 8-11-10 Owner-Gigginstown House Stud; Trainer-Michael Hourigan IRE; Jockey-Davy Russell; SP-4/1
3RD-Turko 6-11-10 Owner-The Stewart Family; Trainer-Paul Nicholls; Jockey-Ruby Walsh; SP-7/1
9 ran, Time-5m 10.24s Dist-5, 7 100/30 Fav The Listener (5th)
2007-WINNER-TARANIS 6-11-00 Owner-Mrs A B Yeoman & C R Whittaker; Trainer-Paul Nicholls; Jockey-Ruby Walsh; SP-9/2
2ND–Our Vic 9-11-05 Owner-David Johnson; Trainer-David Pipe; Jockey-Timmy Murphy; SP-7/2
3RD–Billyvoddan 8-11-00 Owner-Trevor Hemmings; Trainer-Henry Daly; Jockey-Richard Johnson; SP-20/1
9 ran, Time-5m 10.60s Dist-nk, ½ 7/4 Fav Monet’s Garden (4th)
2006-WINNER-FONDMORT 10-11-00 Owner-Bill Brown; Trainer-Nicky Henderson; Jockey-Mick Fitzgerlad; SP-100/30 Jt Fav
2ND-Lacdoudal 7-11-00 Owner-Carol Skan; Trainer-Philip Hobbs; Jockey-Richard Johnson; SP-20/1
3RD-Impek Owner-Jim Lewis; Trainer-Henrietta Knight; Jockey-Tony McCoy; SP-100/30 Jt Fav
11 ran, Time-5m 3.00s Dist-1¼, hd
2005-WINNER-THISTHATANDTOTHER 9-11-03 Owner-Graham Roach; Trainer-Paul Nicholls; Jockey-Ruby Walsh; SP-9/2
2ND-Fondmort 9-11-00 Owner-Bill Brown; Trainer-Nicky Henderson; Jockey-Mick Fitzgerald; SP-9/1
3RD-Rathgar Beau 9-11-03 Owner-One-O-Eight Racing Club; Trainer-Eamon Sheehy IRE; Jockey-Shay Barry; SP-9/2
12 ran, Time-5m 11.90s Dist: ½, 2½ 7/4 Fav Our Vic (PU)
