15.20
Good To SoftRyanair Chase (Registered As The Festival Trophy) (Grade 1) (GBB Race)
- Prize money: £211012.5
- 2m 4f 127y
- Class 1
- 9 runners
Runners: 9 runners
Type: Chase Turf
Surface: Turf
Weather: Partly cloudy
5/4 (Won)
- Win: £2.50
- Place: £1.30
Form: 11-123 C
Last run: 40 days
W: 11st 10lb
8 yo Gelding
OR: 166
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2nd 2 |
29th Apr 2026 Yielding 3m 0f 213y |
11st 10lb |
2024 Brown Advisory winner, 2025 Ryanair winner; won the 2024 John Durkan at this venue, had a hard race when narrowly beaten by Gaelic Warrior in this season's repeat bid; failed to do himself justice in the King George; back to best when readily beating Gaelic Warrior and Galopin Des Champs in the Irish Gold Cup; fascinating rematch now after bypassing Ryanair. |
5/4 |
|
1st 3 |
2nd Feb 2026 Soft To Heavy 3m 0f 100y |
11st 10lb |
Four Grade 1 wins, including the 2024 Brown Advisory, and last season's Ryanair; narrowly denied by Gaelic Warrior in the John Durkan Memorial Chase; raced keenly and never looked like imposing his presence in the King George; three-time course winner, just lost second to Grangeclare West here 12 months ago; capable of matching that effort if on back on song. |
8/1 |
16/1
- Place: £3.30
Form: 13-124 D
Last run: 75 days
W: 11st 10lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 159
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3rd 3 |
10th Apr 2026 Good To Soft 2m 3f 200y Class 1 |
11st 10lb |
8yo who made his Grade 1 breakthrough in the Ryanair at Cheltenham (2m4f, good) last month; that 10l victory was a career-best performance and he will be tough to beat if reproducing the same scintillating form today; ran well in the Mildmay at this meeting in 2024 on sole run here. |
11/8 |
|
1st 4 |
12th Mar 2026 Good To Soft 2m 4f 127y Class 1 |
11st 10lb |
Has yet to win at above Grade 3 level although he only just failed against Croke Park in a less competitive Grade 1 than this at Fairyhouse (2m4f, yielding) in December 2024; he enjoyed his front-running role when winning at Tramore (2m7f, soft) in January when never seriously challenged and it's likely he will be ridden more prominently today than when no match for Fact To File in this race (good to soft) last March; he will still do well to fend off that winner but another place is perfectly achievable. |
10/1 |
|
4 |
15th Oct 2025 Good 2m 7f 39y |
11st 0lb |
Beat Corbetts Cross readily in a three-runner event at Wexford (2m7f, soft) on reappearance last October; just denied by Croke Park in the Drinmore; faded into fourth in Savills Chase at Leopardstown; enhanced his reputation with a fine second to Fact To File in the Ryanair; pulled a shoe when flopping at Fairyhouse at Easter; can go well when fresh; big chance at these weights. |
11/8 |
14/1
- Place: £2.50
Form: 224-1U CD
Last run: 77 days
W: 11st 10lb
11 yo Gelding
OR: 163
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
9th 1 |
13th Mar 2026 Good 3m 2f 70y Class 1 |
11st 10lb |
His remarkable haul of ten Grade 1 wins includes three at the Cheltenham Festival, and it was at that level that he won at Down Royal in November on his sole outing this season; however, he was a well-beaten third in the Ryanair last March and, now 12, today's task is likely to prove beyond him. |
25/1 |
|
2 |
1st Nov 2025 Good 3m 0f 0y |
11st 10lb |
Winner of this race in 2022 and 2024, just touched off in 2023; eight chase wins also include a Ryanair Chase; ran just twice after last season's win here, unseating in King George and bit below-best but nonetheless creditable third in Ryanair in March; veteran vulnerable to younger rivals but has to be respected. |
9/4 |
|
2 |
1st Nov 2025 Good 3m 0f 0y |
11st 10lb |
Winner of this race in 2022 and 2024, just touched off in 2023; eight chase wins also include a Ryanair Chase; ran just twice after last season's win here, unseating in King George and bit below-best but nonetheless creditable third in Ryanair in March; veteran vulnerable to younger rivals but has to be respected. |
9/4 |
6/1
Form: 13-621 CD
Last run: 53 days
W: 11st 10lb
10 yo Gelding
OR: 166
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2nd 4 |
9th Apr 2026 Good To Soft 3m 0f 210y Class 1 |
11st 10lb |
11yo whose last Grade 1 win came in March 2024 but he showed strong form when keeping on for second of four to Jonbon in the Melling Chase here (2m4f, good) 12 months ago and has won at Windsor (2m6f, soft; warm conditions race) and Kelso (extended 2m7f, good to soft; Listed) on his two runs this year; he should still be fine at this sort of trip and could be a contender. |
15/2 |
|
1st 3 |
28th Feb 2026 Good To Soft 2m 7f 96y Class 1 |
11st 2lb |
Tremendous campaigner who has netted connections over £1m in prize-money; jumped right on occasions but was still firmly on top at finish in valuable conditions chase at Windsor (2m6f, soft) six weeks ago; usually races up with the pace; the clear pick on form and very much the one to beat. |
1/8 |
|
1st 6 |
18th Jan 2026 Soft 2m 6f 50y Class 2 |
11st 2lb |
Bolted up in this race last year (soft); reappeared with very creditable third off a lofty mark in handicap at Cheltenham (3m3f, soft) in November; wind surgery since; this 11yo holds stand-out claims on today's terms. |
8/11 |
33/1
Form: 2-4F31
Last run: 33 days
W: 11st 10lb
8 yo Gelding
OR: 156
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
6th 8 |
12th Mar 2026 Good To Soft 2m 4f 127y Class 1 |
11st 10lb |
Finished a creditable close second of three finishers in a Grade 2 at Kempton (about 2m4f, good) in January but he's an infrequent winner and it's two years since he ran well in a Grade 1 (not far away when falling two out in the Arkle here, then touched off at Aintree); well adrift in this race last year and there's no reason to expect much better today. |
100/1 |
|
5th 1 |
7th Feb 2026 Soft 2m 0f 92y Class 1 |
11st 8lb |
Landed this prize last year but incurs a bigger penalty this time, making him worse off with runner-up Libberty Hunter, and concedes weight to some other notable rivals that include a very promising 5yo; outgunned by 12yo Edwardstone at Kempton most recently; chance of doing the Game Spirit double partly depends on how well he responds to first-time headgear. |
11/1 |
|
2 |
26th Oct 2025 Good 2m 3f 200y Class 1 |
11st 6lb |
Unproven at this trip but kept on well to win Grade 2 Game Spirit at Newbury (2m, soft) in February and his two subsequent defeats came in Grade 1s; likes it here, with course form figures of 122, and he's fine on good ground; from in-form yard and can play leading role if seeing out the trip. |
4/1 |
3/1
Form: 15-1P2
Last run: 77 days
W: 11st 10lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 166
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
10th Apr 2026 Good To Soft 2m 5f 19y Class 1 |
12st 0lb |
Front-runner who is well handicapped on form shown as recently as December 2024, when runner-up in the King George at Kempton (3m, good), and he'll be a thrilling sight over these fences if back on song following wind surgery; however, pulled up on his last two starts and has plenty to prove. |
16/1 |
|
6th 6 |
13th Mar 2025 Good To Soft 2m 4f 127y Class 1 |
11st 10lb |
prominent |
3/1 |
12/1
Form: 8-2121 D
Last run: 33 days
W: 11st 10lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 166
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
1st Nov 2025 Good 3m 0f 45y Class 1 |
11st 10lb |
Well beaten in Grade 1s on final two starts last season; however, he impressed with two Grade 2 wins earlier in the campaign, namely the Peterborough at Huntingdon (2m4f, soft) and the Denman at Newbury (extended 2m7f, soft), and he has a very positive reappearance record; respected under 6lb penalty. |
9/4 |
|
1 |
1st Nov 2025 Good 3m 0f 45y Class 1 |
11st 10lb |
Well beaten in Grade 1s on final two starts last season; however, he impressed with two Grade 2 wins earlier in the campaign, namely the Peterborough at Huntingdon (2m4f, soft) and the Denman at Newbury (extended 2m7f, soft), and he has a very positive reappearance record; respected under 6lb penalty. |
9/4 |
|
6th 2 |
3rd Apr 2025 Good To Soft 3m 0f 210y Class 1 |
11st 10lb |
Always behind and well beaten in the Ryanair but may benefit from this step back up in distance, having been well suited by 2m7f in the Denman Chase at Newbury (one of two soft-ground Grade 2 wins this term) the time before; largely progressive prior to latest start and unexposed over staying trips. |
20/1 |
100/1
Form: -21324 C
Last run: 131 days
W: 11st 10lb
11 yo Gelding
OR: 157
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
28th Jun 2026 Good 3m 0f 10y Class 2 |
12st 0lb |
Gained most recent success in a veterans' event; two attempts at this prize comprise a success (off 9lb higher) in 2024 and below-par seventh last year; the 12yo's chance of regaining the Cup partly depends on the effects of first-time visor. |
14/1 |
|
4th 1 |
4th May 2026 Good 3m 0f 38y Class 2 |
12st 0lb |
9-28 over fences, the latest win gained at Chepstow (2m7f, good to firm) in October; below that form three times on good to soft ground since but didn't run badly on penultimate appearance and will be better suited by the forecast good ground here; might be the answer. |
9/2 |
|
4th 1 |
15th Apr 2026 Good 3m 1f 125y Class 2 |
12st 1lb |
Strike-rate of 9-27 over fences and his third in a veterans' chase at Newbury in February (3m2f) was encouraging given he had been absent for three months and good to soft ground would have been slow enough; should run well. |
15/2 |
12/1
Form: /416-1 D
Last run: 82 days
W: 11st 10lb
11 yo Gelding
OR: 156
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
16th 4 |
10th Mar 2026 Good To Soft 2m 4f 44y Class 1 |
11st 8lb |
Talented but delicate 12yo who has run just ten times over the years; conditions suit but he's been soundly beaten and pulled up in his two starts for new yard; will do very well to add to trainer's three wins in the race. |
40/1 |
|
2 |
17th Jan 2026 Good To Soft 2m 5f 13y Class 2 |
11st 11lb |
Low-mileage 12yo; had a record of 3-3 for Willie Mullins and 2-5 for Henry de Bromhead, but he was tailed off on stable debut at Cheltenham (22-1) on New Year's Day and needs to have come on a ton in the 16 days since. |
14/1 |
+o+e Accumulators
| Payout | |
|---|---|
| Exacta | £26.00 |
| Straight Forecast | £29.28 |
| Tricast | £242.21 |
| Trifecta | £152.50 |
Selections
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