Fact To File Withdrawn
“We waited all day for rain that was half-promised, so we made the decision not to run,” said trainer Willie Mullins regarding the withdrawal of Fact To File from the Ryanair Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.
Fact To File, the reigning champion of the Ryanair Chase, had been the evens favorite to win again this year. However, the ground conditions, which were classified as Good to Soft, prompted Mullins to reconsider the horse’s participation.
JP McManus, the owner of Fact To File, stated, “I left it to Willy, but I can overrule him,” indicating his trust in Mullins’ judgment while also asserting his authority in the decision-making process.
The Ryanair Chase is a Grade 1 race for horses aged five years and older, and Fact To File’s previous performance was noteworthy, having won the race by nine lengths in 2025.
Following the withdrawal, Heart Wood emerged victorious in the Ryanair Chase, capitalizing on the absence of the favored horse. This year’s festival has seen its share of tragedies, with two horses having died during the first two days.
Willie Mullins, who has trained 118 winners at the Cheltenham Festival, making him the most successful trainer in its history, was the only trainer to withdraw a horse on that day.
“The ground is not good enough. If the ground is going to be like this we’re not going to bring them,” Mullins emphasized, highlighting the importance of suitable conditions for racing.
Fact To File was expected to perform well if the ground conditions were suitable, but the decision to withdraw was made with the horse’s best interests in mind.
As the festival continues, the focus will shift to the remaining races and the performance of other contenders, including Jonbon, who has participated in 27 races and won 20 of them.
Details remain unconfirmed regarding any further implications of this withdrawal on the overall festival outcomes.
