Cheltenham betting: 2026 Ryanair Chase contenders and tip

When it comes to Cheltenham betting, the main event of day three is the Ryanair Chase. Coral previews the race and shares its tip.

Coral's Ryanair Chase Cheltenham 2026 tip

The big race on day three of the Cheltenham Festival is the Ryanair Chase and after the decision was made by JP McManus to send one of his many big stars to this race, it could be a foregone conclusion. 

There was plenty of pre-Festival talk of where Fact To File would end up after his absolute demolition job in the Irish Gold Cup at the Dublin Racing Festival for trainer Willie Mullins, but the call was made to run in the Ryanair instead of the Cheltenham Gold Cup and Fact To File should bag a sixth top-level success here and defend his crown.

His nearest challenger could be 2024 King George winner Banbridge, only just beaten when trying to defend his crown on Boxing Day last year for the Joseph O’Brien yard. He was well-held in the Cheltenham Gold Cup last year but has a good chance here on form. 

A surprise entry for this race is Jonbon for Nicky Henderson, who has never finished outside of the top two in his career spanning 27 races, but is not a fan of Cheltenham having been beaten on four occasions around this track. Jonbon is a top-class chaser and has won the Clarence House and the Ascot Chase this term but his Cheltenham record means punters could be swerving him here.

Henry De Bromhead sends Heart Wood, second in last year’s Ryanair behind Fact To File and could well fill that spot again, while Impaire Et Passe can round out the top three for the Mullins team, a winner of the Manifesto Chase last year at Aintree and made had a successful prep run for this race when landing the Red Mills Chase at Gowran Park last month.

Coral’s big-race tip: Fact To File @ 8/11

View the latest Cheltenham Festival 2026 betting odds

All odds and markets correct as of date of publication.