Cheltenham 2026 Ryanair Chase tips

A lot like how the Supreme ties in with the Turners the Ryanair ties in with the Gold Cup.

We still don’t know the final field but what I do know is wherever Fact To File goes I want to be with him! If he does come here he is likely to go off a short priced favourite just like he did winning the race impressively by 9 lengths last year.

Willie Mullins could still decide to send him for the Gold Cup and if that happens then stablemate Gaelic Warrior will likely come here and also be a warm order.

This race is expected to cut up quite badly so there is definitely each way value to be had if you dig deep enough.

Quick picks for the Ryanair Chase

• FACT TO FILE – 17/20 with SBK
• FIREFOX – 14/1 with BoyleSports

Cheltenham 4.00 Ryanair Chase – Key stats and trends

Age

• 12 of the last 12 winners were aged between 7 and 9
• 2 of the last 3 winners were aged 9
• 0 of the last 12 winners were aged 10 or older

Price

• 6 of the last 12 winners were favourites or joint favourites
• 10 of the last 12 winners were in the top 3 in the betting
• 3 of the last 5 winners were favourites

Form

• 4 of the last 12 winners won on their previous run before the Ryanair Chase
• 10 of the last 12 winners ran within the last 77 days
• 12 of the last 12 winners had at least 2 previous runs at Cheltenham

Rating

• 11 of the last 12 winners were rated 162 or higher
• 4 of the last 12 winners were rated 170 or higher
• 9 of the last 10 winners were rated 163 or higher

Other pointers

• 12 of the last 15 winners had previously won a Grade 1 or Grade 2 chase
• 10 of the last 12 winners had already won at Cheltenham
• 7 of the last 9 winners had run at the Dublin Racing Festival earlier that season

Ryanair Chase preview & tips

The Ryanair used to attract quite a big field but that hasn’t been the case in recent years and it is looking like this could cut up quite badly again.

The betting is suggesting last year’s winner FACT TO FILE will return to defend his crown. Judging by the way he put them away at the Dublin Racing Festival if he does come here over the Gold Cup he really should be winning.

I appreciate his price has collapsed somewhat but there are very few negatives regarding his chance so when it is confirmed he looks like he’ll be one of the first names in those Cheltenham Festival accas.

Depending on what Fact To File does will shape this race. If he does come here as the vibes suggest then Gaelic Warrior will head for the Gold Cup on Friday so the opposition will be slim on the ground.

Jonbon could go for the Champion Chase but whichever route he picks it is no easy task. Jango Baie is another one who could opt for Gold Cup glory over this race.

Each way angle?

It is hard to be bullish about anything at bigger prices but FIREFOX definitely catches the eye at 18/1. There is still a chance he goes for the Gold Cup too but if he does decide to come here with the ground drying perfect for him he is definitely one I can see hitting the frame in behind Fact To File.

He was fourth behind that rival at the DRF but this ground will be much more to his liking and he is still fairly lightly raced for his age too so at the prices there is enough there to want to chance him.

My picks:

1. FACT TO FILE

• Trainer: Willie Mullins
• Form: 122-2111-12314-261
• Age: 9
• Weight: 11-10

Bet on FACT TO FILE to win the Ryanair Chase at 17/20 with SBK

2. FIREFOX

• Trainer: Gordon Elliott
• Form: 4211-114322-132362-124
• Age: 8
• Weight: 11-10

Bet on FIREFOX to win the Ryanair Chase at 14/1 with BoyleSports

Last 12 winners of the Arkle Chase

Cheltenham Festival 2026 news, tips and free bets:

• Cheltenham 2026 free bets and betting offers
• Cheltenham ante-post tips
• Cheltenham Festival 2026 favourites and outsiders
• Cheltenham 2026 horses to watch
• Cheltenham 2026 top trainers + jockeys
• Willie Mullins winners
• Nicky Henderson winners
• Gordon Elliott winners

About the author

Joe Norris

I’m Joe Norris, co-founder and Director of GetYourTipsOut (GYTO), which I launched in 2009 to provide daily sports betting tips, with the main focus on horse racing. Over the years, I’ve earned a reputation for offering reliable and profitable tips, which led to being named “Best Sports Betting Tipster” in 2023. Alongside my work at GYTO, I also contribute predictions to platforms like Oddschecker, allowing me to share my insights with a wide community of sports enthusiasts and bettors.

Find Joe on X: @JoeNorrisGYTO

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