Cheltenham Festival 2025 Preview: Festival Trophy

It’s that time of year again, where we take a look at Cheltenham Festival betting odds for some of the stand out races at this feast of racing action. The Festival Trophy, probably better known by its sponsored title, the Ryanair Chase, is a relatively recent addition to the Cheltenham Festival. It was established in 2005, when the Cheltenham Festival was extended from three days to four, with the intention of creating a ‘championship’ race for horses lacking the speed required for the Queen Mother Chase or the stamina required for the Cheltenham Gold Cup. Indeed, the Ryanair Chase was awarded Grade 1 status in 2008 and its prestige has continued to grow ever since, such that it now rivals the Stayers’ Hurdle as the ‘feature’ race on day three of the Festival.

The 2024 winner, Protektorat (7/1), trained by Dan Skelton, looks likely to defend his title after an impressive, 23-length win from Djelo (subsequently a comfortable Grade 2 winner) in the Fleur De Lys Chase at Windsor in January. Reflecting on his chance, Skelton said, “There’ll be younger horses at Cheltenham and ones with a fancier depth of form…”

One of those horses could be the current ante-post favourite, Fact To File (2/1), trained by Willie Mullins, who won the Broadway Novices’ Chase at the 2024 Cheltenham Festival and is second-favourite for the Cheltenham Gold Cup behind stable companion Gallopin Des Champs. He would be hard to oppose if taking his chance in the Ryanair Chase, particularly as his participation may frighten off connections of French challenger Il Est Francais (4/1), who is also in the Queen Mother Champion Chase and the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Cheltenham Bet Offer:  https://blog.betway.com/horse-racing/countdown-to-cheltenham-earn-over-pound100-in-free-bets-1/