Cheltenham Festival 2027 ante-post guides
Ryanair Chase ante-post tips and trends
Updated 10 November 2026. Ante-post markets move a lot before March, so we refresh this guide after the key trials.
The championship race over two and a half miles, run on the New Course on day three. Fact To File won it in 2025 but was pulled out on the day last March because of the ground, and Henry de Bromhead's Heart Wood made the most of it, beating Jonbon by ten lengths. Fact To File heads the betting again, ahead of Lulamba, who is expected to step up in trip for Nicky Henderson. Majborough, Heart Wood and Koktail Divin are among the others. A lot depends on which horses get pointed here rather than the Gold Cup or Champion Chase, and that won't be clear until the new year.
First and second in the last two runnings, Irish-trained, and nine next March, the age band that's won seven of the last ten. De Bromhead has won this three times in the decade. At around 12/1 he's a bigger price than his record here suggests, though he'll have to beat a fit Fact To File this time.
Key trends (2017-2026)
| Seven of the last ten winners were aged eight or nine | Balko Des Flos, Frodon and Allaho (2021) won at seven. No winner was older than nine. |
| Irish stables have won eight of the last ten | Frodon (2019) and Protektorat (2024) are the only British-trained winners. |
| Willie Mullins has won five of the last ten | Un De Sceaux, Min, Allaho twice and Fact To File. Henry de Bromhead has three: Balko Des Flos, Envoi Allen and Heart Wood. |
| Four favourites have won in the last ten | Un De Sceaux, Allaho twice and Fact To File. Every winner in that spell was 17/2 or shorter. |
| Allaho is the only dual winner in that time | He won in 2021 and 2022, so defending champions can repeat. |
| Ground can decide who turns up | Fact To File was withdrawn 45 minutes before last year's race because the ground wasn't soft enough for him. |
The main contenders
Won this by nine lengths at 6/4 in 2025 and the Brown Advisory in 2024, so he's two from two at the Festival. He'll be nine next March, which fits the age trend.
Against: Withdrawn last year because of the ground, then beaten 26 lengths by Gaelic Warrior at Punchestown. Could yet be aimed at the Gold Cup.
A high-class two-mile novice last season who Henderson is now trying over further, with the King George reported as a likely stepping stone. Several tipsters think this is his race.
Against: Beaten as 11/10 favourite in last season's Arkle and still has to prove he stays this far. Seven next March, younger than most recent winners.
Won last year's race by ten lengths at 9/2 after finishing second to Fact To File in 2025, so he clearly loves this course and trip. Nine next March.
Against: Fact To File didn't run last year, and Racing Insider reckons he'll need a career best to repeat against a stronger field.
A Triumph Hurdle winner whose 20-length Dublin Chase win showed real ability. A longer trip on the New Course could give him more time at his fences.
Against: His jumping has let him down in big races, including costly mistakes in the 2025 Arkle.
Ran a promising sixth in last season's Brown Advisory, and the drop to two and a half miles could suit.
Against: Still has to prove he's up to open Grade 1 level, and his target isn't settled, with some seeing him as a Champion Chase type.
Prices are a rough guide to the ante-post market when this guide was updated, not an offer.
What the tipsters say
- Racing Insider (Jon Vine): Selection is Majborough at 14/1, reasoning that a longer trip and the New Course should help his jumping.
- Sporting Life (Simon Walker): Tipped Lulamba at 8/1 in March, believing he needs further to show his best.
- Sporting Life (Ben Linfoot): Picked Koktail Divin at 25/1 as a long-term option over this trip.
- Read Horse Racing: Rated Fact To File fair value in the spring, as this and the Gold Cup look his only realistic targets.
- Horseracing.net: No tip yet, but highlights that eight of the last ten winners were trained in Ireland.
Key trials to watch
- Betfair Chase, Haydock (Late November)
- John Durkan Memorial Chase, Punchestown (Early December)
- King George VI Chase, Kempton (26 December)
- Dublin Chase, Leopardstown (Dublin Racing Festival) (Early February)
- Ascot Chase, Ascot (February)
More Cheltenham Festival 2027 guides
- Champion HurdleOur pick: Lossiemouth
- Queen Mother Champion ChaseOur pick: Il Etait Temps
- Stayers' HurdleOur pick: Teahupoo
- Cheltenham Gold CupOur pick: Jango Baie
- Arkle Novices' ChaseOur pick: Old Park Star
- Brown Advisory Novices' ChaseOur pick: King Rasko Grey
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FAQs
- What is Pat's NAPs' ante-post pick for the Ryanair Chase?
- Heart Wood. First and second in the last two runnings, Irish-trained, and nine next March, the age band that's won seven of the last ten. De Bromhead has won this three times in the decade. At around 12/1 he's a bigger price than his record here suggests, though he'll have to beat a fit Fact To File this time.
- What are the key Ryanair Chase trends?
- Seven of the last ten winners were aged eight or nine. Irish stables have won eight of the last ten. Willie Mullins has won five of the last ten.
- When is the Ryanair Chase?
- Thursday 18 March 2027, over 2m 4½f. The Cheltenham Festival 2027 runs Tuesday 16 to Friday 19 March 2027.
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