“We waited all day for rain that was half-promised, so we made the decision not to run,” said trainer Willie Mullins regarding the withdrawal of Fact To File from the Ryanair Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.

Fact To File, who won the Ryanair Chase in 2025 by a notable nine lengths, was expected to perform well this year, especially given the favorable odds as the evens favorite prior to the withdrawal. However, the ground conditions, described as Good to Soft, ultimately influenced the decision.

JP McManus, the owner of Fact To File, stated, “I left it to Willy, but I can overrule him,” indicating his trust in Mullins’ judgment while also asserting his authority in the decision-making process.

Following the withdrawal, Heart Wood went on to win the Ryanair Chase, marking a significant moment in the festival. This year, the event has been overshadowed by the unfortunate news of two horses that died during the first two days of the festival, raising concerns about safety and ground conditions.

Willie Mullins, who has trained 118 winners at the Cheltenham Festival, remains the most successful trainer in its history. His decision to withdraw Fact To File was not taken lightly, as he emphasized, “The ground is not good enough. If the ground is going to be like this we’re not going to bring them.”

Fact To File was the only horse withdrawn by Mullins on that day, highlighting the specific concerns regarding this particular horse’s ability to compete under the existing conditions.

As the festival continues, the focus will shift to the remaining races and the performance of other horses, including Jonbon, who has participated in 27 races and won 20 of them.

Details remain unconfirmed regarding any further developments related to Fact To File’s future races or training plans.

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