There is no disputing that the biggest race at the Cheltenham Festival is the Gold Cup. In fact, it’s probably the biggest race of the year on the entire National Hunt calendar.
But it is only one race, and there are 28 scheduled for the 2025 Cheltenham Festival, so today, we’re going to take a look at the upcoming Ryanair Chase, set to take place on March 13, 2025.
This Grade 1 National Hunt steeplechase has become a cornerstone of the festival since its inception in 2005, attracting some of the finest middle-distance chasers in the sport.
Run over a distance of about 2 miles and 4½ furlongs (4,139 metres), it challenges horses aged five years and older to navigate 17 fences on Cheltenham’s new course.
Initially introduced as a Grade 2 event, when the festival expanded to four days, it quickly gained prominence and was elevated to Grade 1 status in 2008, cementing its place as one of the two feature races on day three. The other is the Stayers Hurdle.
The race’s registered title is the Festival Trophy, but it has been known by its sponsored name since its early days.
The Daily Telegraph backed the inaugural running in 2005, but Ryanair, headed by Michael O’Leary, took over sponsorship the following year and has remained the title sponsor ever since.
The Best of Middle-Distance Talent
The Ryanair Chase occupies a unique niche in the National Hunt racing spectrum. It caters to horses whose optimal distance falls between the 2-mile Queen Mother Champion Chase and the 3¼-mile Cheltenham Gold Cup.
This makes it an attractive option for versatile chasers who might find the Champion Chase too sharp or the Gold Cup too gruelling.
Over the years, the race has attracted a mix of established stars and rising talents.
To excel in this race, horses need a blend of speed and stamina, capable of maintaining a strong gallop over the challenging fences while having enough in reserve for the famous uphill finish.
For 2025, three horses are all potentially in with a solid shot at this race. I say potentially because the official entries are not out yet, and all three will have other options at the Festival.
So before you rush to get your early ante-post bets on, check the facilities of your preferred online bookmaker. Not only do they need to provide the best odds, but fast withdrawals are essential so you can move your money between accounts if there’s a special offer on this race.
Willie Mullins, already a dominant force in the race, could field two formidable contenders in Gaelic Warrior and El Fabiolo. Meanwhile, Nicky Henderson’s Jonbon looms as a serious threat.
Gaelic Warrior has shown impressive form over fences, with two wins from two starts, including a Grade 1 victory in the Faugheen Novice Chase and last year’s Arkle at Cheltenham.
His versatility and class make him a strong contender, though questions remain about his preferred trip and his tendency to jump right-handed.
El Fabiolo, another Mullins charge, has established himself as a top-class two-miler, but the step up in trip for the Ryanair could unlock further improvement. His speed and jumping ability make him a fascinating prospect for this race.
Jonbon, trained by Nicky Henderson, has proven his class over shorter trips but has the pedigree and style to suggest he could excel over the Ryanair distance.
His battling qualities and turn of foot could be potent weapons in the closing stages of a strongly-run race, though he is also a short-priced favourite for the Champion Chase, so remember what I said about those ante-post bets!
Based on current form and potential, it’s a close call between these three.
El Fabiolo’s raw talent and Mullins’ record in the race might give him a slight edge, but Gaelic Warrior’s scope for improvement and Jonbon’s class ensure this is far from a foregone conclusion.
Will it be Mullins or Henderson that take the spoils in the 2025 Ryanair Chase? Harry Skelton won last season, and Henry De Bromhead won the season before that, so it really is anybody’s race.
Winning Trainers and Horses
Since its inception, the Ryanair Chase has seen several trainers and horses stamp their authority on the race.
Willie Mullins, the Irish training maestro, has been particularly successful in recent years, securing five victories in the last eight runnings.
His triumphs include back-to-back wins with the now-retired Allaho in 2021 and 2022, showcasing the trainer’s ability to prepare horses perfectly for this test.
Other notable trainers to have tasted success include Nicky Henderson, Paul Nicholls, and Jonjo O’Neill.
The latter trained Albertas Run to consecutive victories in 2010 and 2011, a feat that underscores the quality required to win this race multiple times.
In terms of horses, Allaho’s consecutive victories stand out in recent memory. His dominant performances in 2021 and 2022 set a new standard for excellence in the race.
Before him, Un de Sceaux’s victory in 2017 for Willie Mullins was another memorable moment, demonstrating the calibre of horse that this race attracts.
The Significance of the Chase
The Ryanair Chase has quickly established itself as one of the most anticipated races of the Cheltenham Festival.
Its position on the third day of the festival, often referred to as St. Patrick’s Thursday, adds to its appeal, especially for Irish racing fans who make the trek to Pretbury Park every year.
The prize money is significant and, as of 2023, has stood at £375,000 in 2023, with £211,013 going to the winner.
This level of money ensures that connections of top-class chasers seriously consider the Ryanair as a target, making it one of the most competitive fields at the Festival.
Moreover, it has become a key target for horses that might previously have been caught between the Champion Chase and Gold Cup, providing a perfect stage for these middle-distance specialists to shine.
