The Ryanair Chase has been moved to the feature 4:00pm time slot on St Patrick's Day, meaning it now headlines the card on day three of the Cheltenham Festival. Fact To File ran out a superb winner of this race 12 months ago, and Willie Mullins' star dominates the betting for this year's renewal.
Here's a look at the 2026 Ryanair Chase betting and run-down of the headline entries.
2026 Ryanair Chase Odds
| Name | Odds |
|---|---|
| Fact To File | Evens |
| Gaelic Warrior | 6/4 |
| Jonbon | 5/1 |
| Jango Baie | 6/1 |
| Heart Wood | 7/1 |
| Romeo Coolio | 7/1 |
| Bar | 12/1 |
[Updated on 10.2.2026]
2026 Ryanair Chase Entries
It seemed for all money like last year's runaway winner was being primed again for this Grade One again. However, Willie Mullins' star ran out an impressive winner of the Irish Gold Cup at the Dublin Racing Festival and, with defending champion Inothewayurthinkin now a doubt for the Cheltenham Festival, JP McManus could talk Mullins into running Fact To File in the big one.
If the Ryanair Chase favourite was to make the switch, Gaelic Warrior would take up his position at the head of the market. Mullins' star beat Fact To File in the John Durkan back in November, and has since placed in both the King George VI Chase and the Irish Gold Cup.
Jonbon bounced back to winning ways in the Clarence House Chase and could head to the Ryanair if he produces another winning performance in the Ascot Chase. Heart Wood followed Fact To File home in this race 12 months ago, and seems a likely runner for Henry de Bromhead.
Former King George winner Banbridge could drop down in trip at Cheltenham, having struggled in the Gold Cup 12 months ago. Gold Cup-bound Jango Baie sits prominently in the NRNB market. As does Gordon Elliott's novice Romeo Coolio, who seems more likely to run in either the Arkle or the Brown Advisory.
Willie Mullins is further represented by Impare Et Passe, Il Etait Temps and Energumene. Gordon Elliott has entered Found A Fifty, Croke Park and Firefox. Plate winner Jagwar holds a Ryanair entry. Other potential runners include former winner Protektorat, Dan Skelton's talented mare Panic Attack, JPR One for the Tizzards, and course winner Matata for the Twiston-Davies team.