As the Cheltenham Festival approaches, anticipation builds for one of its most exciting races – the Ryanair Chase. This year’s edition promises to be a thrilling contest, with two standout contenders capturing the imagination of racing fans: Fact To File and Il Est Francais.
Introduced in 2005 when the Cheltenham Festival expanded to four days, the Ryanair Chase quickly established itself as a premier event.
Run over two miles and five furlongs, it often attracts horses who find the Gold Cup distance too demanding but possess too much stamina for the Queen Mother Champion Chase.
So, with the titans set to do battle, let’s take a closer look at both stars and see if we can determine which has what it takes to win on March 13, 2025.
More importantly, with two such short-priced stars going head-to-head, it’s a good idea to find the best Cheltenham betting offers so you can maximise your options when it comes to both of these potential winners!
Fact To File: Mullins’ Latest Star
Trained by the maestro Willie Mullins, Fact To File has emerged as a formidable contender for the 2025 Ryanair Chase. This seven-year-old gelding, owned by JP McManus, has already made waves in his relatively short career.
Fact To File’s outing in Leopardstown in December saw him finish third to stablemates Grangeclare West and Galopin Des Champs in the Irish Gold Cup. This performance, coupled with his victory in the John Durkan Memorial Chase earlier in the season, has established him as a top-tier chaser.
Mullins’s expertise in preparing horses for Cheltenham is well-documented, and Fact To File appears to be his latest project. The trainer’s decision to target the Ryanair Chase instead of the Gold Cup suggests a belief in the horse’s aptitude for the intermediate trip.
Il Est Francais: The French Sensation
Trained by the partnership of Noel George and Amanda Zetterholm, Il Est Francais has taken an unconventional path to Cheltenham stardom.
This six-year-old gelding burst onto the scene with a stunning victory in the 2023 Kauto Star Novices’ Chase at Kempton.
Il Est Francais’ 2024 campaign has been a mix of brilliance and setbacks. After an impressive win at Auteuil in September, he encountered difficulties in his next outing in November. However, he bounced back with a gallant second-place finish in the King George VI Chase on Boxing Day, narrowly beaten by Banbridge.
The French-trained chaser’s connections have been weighing their Cheltenham options carefully. While initially considered for both the Champion Chase and Gold Cup, recent indications suggest the Ryanair Chase might be the perfect fit for Il Est Francais’ talents.
The Clash: Fact To File vs Il Est Francais
As the 2025 Ryanair Chase approaches, the potential showdown between Fact To File and Il Est Francais has captured the imagination of racing fans. Both horses bring unique strengths to the table, making for an intriguing matchup.
Fact To File’s connections exude confidence, with the horse currently the favourite for the Ryanair. His recent form, combined with Willie Mullins’ exceptional Festival record, makes him a formidable contender.
The step back in trip from the Gold Cup distance could prove ideal for a horse with his blend of speed and stamina.
However, Il Est Francais presents a fascinating challenge. His front-running style, showcased in the King George, could make for a pulsating contest over the Ryanair distance.
Noel George’s enthusiasm for his charge is palpable, describing Il Est Francais as being in “great form” and potentially “very difficult to beat” if everything falls into place.
The contrasting styles of these two chasers add another layer of intrigue. Fact To File’s grinding stamina against Il Est Francais’ bold front-running could create a tactical masterpiece around Cheltenham’s famous turns.
The Supporting Cast
While Fact To File and Il Est Francais dominate the pre-race narrative, the Ryanair Chase field is likely to feature other quality contenders. Defending champion Protektorat will aim to retain his crown, while the ever-consistent Envoi Allen could make another appearance.
The race might also see Gaelic Warrior, another Mullins-trained star, depending on how the trainer decides to split his formidable team. This depth of quality ensures that while Fact To File and Il Est Francais may be the headline acts, they’ll face stiff competition from all quarters.
The Verdict
At first glance, Fact To File has the advantage of a top-class Irish record. Mullins’s expertise in bringing horses to a peak at Cheltenham is well known. The stable has a pattern of success here, and that factor alone gives Fact To File a slight edge on paper.
However, Il Est Francais seems more than capable of upsetting that tradition. If the pace is strong but not too frenetic, and if Il Est Francais can sit within striking distance, he might produce a turn of foot that Fact To File can’t match.
The big question is stamina in the closing furlongs. Fact To File’s supporters believe the horse will keep galloping strongly, making it hard for any late challenger to get by. On the other side, Il Est Francais fans think the French runner’s finishing speed can swing things in its favour.
From a betting perspective, both are likely to be at the top of the market. If you trust proven Cheltenham form, Fact To File is the safer call.
If you prefer the excitement of a rising talent who might step forward, Il Est Francais could be the one.
Ultimately, the 2025 Ryanair Chase promises to be a race for the ages. Whether it’s Fact To File adding to Willie Mullins’ impressive tally, Il Est Francais bringing French glory back to Cheltenham, or an upset from one of the other quality contenders, one thing is certain – the Ryanair Chase will once again prove why it’s one of the most anticipated races of the Cheltenham Festival.
