2026 Ryanair Chase

[opatcho]

If you are looking for a big price. I have backed Heart Wood at 66/1 (not sure what price he is now) and Henry says that is the target. He is well capable of a big run. I actually asked him on Twitter about 3 months ago if he could be targeted there but he didn't take me on. I'd like to think he is thinking about it because i suggested it

I’m on Heart Wood aswell for the KG

Thought he ran a huge race behind F2F and he has form line with the likes of inothewayurthinkin and GDC. He’s been up against some good fields

Looks like a horse that could run well over a sharp 3 miler

I’ve always backed him for the Ryanair, way too big atm. Trainer mentioned in a quote that the don’t think he’s an out and out stayer, so unlikely a GC horse so taking my chances he’ll go back in the Ryanair - yes F2F looks unbeatable in that but the Ryanair isn’t tomorrow, plenty can change and if F2F was not to be on the race, a similar performance from Heart Wood would go close to winning in March

 

[archie]

I don't do books so struggle to cope with the mentality required to produce a comprehensive one.

However, I can see no circumstances where I'd be backing any horse other than Fact To File until there's a genuine indication that he's headed elsewhere.

 

[Hurricane fly]

66/1 pays 13/2 for a place. I could get behind that given I'm not sure who else he takes on vs last year where he was a comfortable 2nd

 

[Liammet]

I don't do books so struggle to cope with the mentality required to produce a comprehensive one.

However, I can see no circumstances where I'd be backing any horse other than Fact To File until there's a genuine indication that he's headed elsewhere.

Totally agree

I apply the same logic to Lossiemouth in the Mares Hurdle

 

[Craigy14]

I honestly think he is a handicapper. He wouldn't be one for me but i rule nothing out in the world of horse racing, especially after some of the whacky results of the past few weeks

Handicapper is pretty harsh is it not? Two novice grade 1’s, then ran fact to file very close in the John durkan last year beating Galopin. Ground went against him at Kempton and could argue he’d want it softer than yielding although had won on that before but still no shame being beaten by Galopin over 3m.

 

[Lobos]

Anyone think it's possible for Spillane's tower to run in the king George again if it's soft ground ? Can see 50/1 currently. He ran okay last year on ground he hated

Spillane’s Tower is set for a spin over hurdles at Naas this weekend ahead of a possible tilt at the Betfair Chase.

Jimmy Mangan’s stable star was due to make his seasonal reappearance in last weekend’s Ladbrokes Champion Chase at Down Royal, but unsuitable ground in Northern Ireland led to his withdrawal.

The JP McManus-owned seven-year-old has been entered for the SIS Brown Lad Handicap Hurdle at Naas on Sunday and while he has not run over the smaller obstacles since the spring of 2023, Mangan is keen to get his campaign under way.

He said: “He’ll probably have a run on Sunday because he’s gone a bit rusty and needs a race.

“The ground was too dry for him up there (at Down Royal), I wouldn’t chance him on that.

“If he runs at Naas he plenty of time to recover from that and if performs well we may head over to Haydock.

“We’re happy with him and we’d like to get started as Christmas won’t be long coming.”

 

[Yosser]

Handicapper is pretty harsh is it not? Two novice grade 1’s, then ran fact to file very close in the John durkan last year beating Galopin. Ground went against him at Kempton and could argue he’d want it softer than yielding although had won on that before but still no shame being beaten by Galopin over 3m.

Probably is I really have a dislike for this horse for some reason. Might be Jane Mangan and her dislike for anything English

 

[Runragged]

Handicapper is pretty harsh is it not? Two novice grade 1’s, then ran fact to file very close in the John durkan last year beating Galopin. Ground went against him at Kempton and could argue he’d want it softer than yielding although had won on that before but still no shame being beaten by Galopin over 3m.

If it wasn't for the John Durkin his form wouldn't be much better than a good handicapper. His two novice grade 1s were end of season form where he beat a 145 rated 10yo novice and Blood Destiny whose next start was in a handicap (and has been stuck on a mark of 152 since). Final win he did beat Monty's Star though he is flattering to deceive with just 1 win in 8 chase starts and never seemed to go on last season. Back in 3rd and 4th were two horses more interested in maintaining their novice status for the following season, the 3rd Three Card Brag who did win a handicap in the end off 149 and Sandors Clegane, who has still to win over fences. A bit like Inothewayurthinkin, I really need to see the horse perform again to be convinced by them.

 

[Eggs]

….P Mullins;

John Durkan an early-season delight​

The John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase is the Grade 1 on the Sunday and we love it as a race – two and a half miles around Punchestown doesn’t bottom any horse out, which can seemingly be the case in something like the Betfair Chase at Haydock.

It’s such a nice starting point and builds them up to Christmas.

Fact To File won it last year and I imagine he’ll go back there. It’s the perfect trip for him and Gaelic Warrior too who could run here before going for the King George. You’re a little limited as to where you can go with these horses so I’d imagine we’ll run at least two or three, maybe including Nick Rockett, Lecky Watson and I Am Maximus who is likely to set out on his road back to Aintree again.

 

[Lobos]

Once again, doesn't sound like FTF is King George bound.

Interesting what he says re Betfair Chase as well. It can be a brutal race albeit a big early pot which is why Mullins never gets one ready for it perhaps.

 

[Eggs]

Once again, doesn't sound like FTF is King George bound.

Interesting what he says re Betfair Chase as well. It can be a brutal race albeit a big early pot which is why Mullins never gets one ready for it perhaps.

…..I think those £500k Grand National bonus pots will be of real interest to Irish trainers. Watch closely to see who Mullins enters in those 3 races.

 

[Lobos]

Jukebox



Speaking to Sky Sports Racing at Bangor on Wednesday, Pauling said: “He’s in great order, I think he’s going to have an entry in the 1965 and he’s in the Coral Gold Cup, but there’s also another option that I’ve just thought about recently, which is the graduation chase up at Haydock, because he’s only won two chases.

“So he might go to Betfair Chase day for the graduation chase there which would be a nice stepping-stone to the King George. That’s the plan and we don’t want to leave his King George in his next run.”