Heart Wood Seizes Ryanair Chase Victory as Fact To File Withdrawal Raises Questions
The 2026 Cheltenham Festival witnessed a dramatic turn of events in Thursday's Ryanair Chase, as Heart Wood claimed a memorable victory following the last-minute withdrawal of defending champion Fact To File. The Irish Gold Cup winner's absence created an unexpected opportunity that Henry de Bromhead's gelding seized with both hands, improving on his second-place finish from the previous year's event.
Controversial Withdrawal Sparks Debate
A collective groan echoed through Prestbury Park when it became clear that JP McManus and trainer Willie Mullins would not run the fan-favourite Fact To File in the Ryanair Chase. This decision followed their equally surprising omission of the horse from Friday's Gold Cup, leaving spectators in disbelief. McManus explained that he had left the final decision to Mullins, expressing concerns about ground conditions despite consistent rainfall over the course.
"I left it to Willie," McManus stated after the day's second race. "I have to say I found it too much for him. I've walked the track every day, they've done a great job, but I think they could've done more, especially at the top of the track."
Heart Wood's Redemptive Performance
With Fact To File absent, Heart Wood capitalised on the opportunity for redemption. Jockey Darragh O'Keeffe executed a perfectly timed race, holding the gelding in fourth or fifth position until the downhill section on the second circuit. Drifting to the outside at the turn, Heart Wood made his decisive move, taking the lead two jumps from home as JPR One fell away and Banbridge launched a late challenge.
The seven-year-old cleared the final fence with distance to spare, securing victory ahead of Jonbon who claimed second place. This marked a significant improvement from Heart Wood's 2025 performance, where he had finished second to the dominant Fact To File.
Mullins Criticises Festival Ground Conditions
The victory celebration was tempered by strong criticism from trainer Willie Mullins, who expressed frustration with Cheltenham's ground maintenance. The preeminent trainer in jump racing warned that he might reconsider bringing his best horses to future festivals if conditions do not improve.
"It's jump racing, we want soft in the ground, good ground," Mullins told Racing TV. "We think it's not good enough for the type of individual we're buying and trying to race. If the ground is like this, we won't bring them. I think Cheltenham should have done more - we were promised watering, and I'm not sure the watering has been done."
Other Festival Highlights
Thursday's racing card featured several other notable performances:
- Wodhooh secured victory in the Mares Hurdle, capitalising on Lossiemouth's absence after her Champion Hurdle triumph on Tuesday. Jockey Jack Kennedy controlled the race perfectly, holding off a late charge from Jade De Grugy to give trainer Gordon Elliott his first win of the festival week.
- Home By The Lee produced a stunning 33/1 upset in the Stayers' Hurdle, denying favourite Teahupoo victory and earning plaudits for trainer JP O'Brien and jockey JJ Slevin.
- The day began with an emotional victory for 31-year-old jockey Tom Bellamy, who rode 40/1 outsider White Noise to his first ever Cheltenham Festival win. "I've waited my whole life for this day," an emotional Bellamy told ITV. "I bunked off school as a kid to come and watch the Cheltenham Festival, and I can't believe I'm walking around here after winning."
The 2026 Cheltenham Festival continues to deliver drama both on and off the track, with Heart Wood's Ryanair Chase victory providing redemption while Fact To File's withdrawal and subsequent criticism from Willie Mullins raises important questions about future participation at the prestigious event.
