Cheltenham Festival LIVE tips and results: Heart Wood stuns Jonbon in Ryanair Chase
Heart Wood seizes Cheltenham Festival redemption but Fact To File withdrawal raises vital question
There was a collective groan from horseracing fans at the Cheltenham Festival when it became clear that JP McManus and Willie Mullins did not intend to run fan-favourite Fact To File in Thursday’s Ryanair Chase.
The pair had already raised the eyebrows of spectators last week when omitting him from Friday’s Gold Cup with the reaction to that news one of disbelief. But that wasn’t how McManus saw it.
Mike Jones12 March 2026 16:56
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Mike Jones12 March 2026 17:50
Thursday’s winners
1:20 – White Noise in The Ryanair Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle
2:00 – Meetmebythesea in The Jack Richards Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase
2:40 – Wodhooh in The Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle
3.20 – Home By The Lee in Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle
4.00 – Heart Wood in The Ryanair Chase
4:40 – Supremely West in The Pertemps Network Final
5.20 – Ask Brewster in The Rosconn Group Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup Handicap Steeple Chase
Mike Jones12 March 2026 17:42
Ask Brewster wins the Kim Muir Challenge Cup Handicap Steeple Chase!
Neck and neck approaching the winning post but Ask Brewster had more in the tank and got the job done!
What a conclusion to day three at the Festival!
Mike Jones12 March 2026 17:28
5.20pm – Kim Muir Challenge Cup Handicap Steeple Chase
On the run to home it’s Ask Brewster ahead of RoadTo Home and the two look to be breaking away from the rest.
Mike Jones12 March 2026 17:27
5.20pm – Kim Muir Challenge Cup Handicap Steeple Chase
Glengouly looks to be dropping back but recoves to take second off Herakles Westwood.
Monbeg Genius is coming on strong but so too is The Enabler…
Mike Jones12 March 2026 17:26
5.20pm – Kim Muir Challenge Cup Handicap Steeple Chase
Glengouly lead ahead of Ask Brewster with the pace slowing down.
Herakles Westwood remains interested and so does Road To Home who positions just behind the leading pair.
Mike Jones12 March 2026 17:24
5.20pm – Kim Muir Challenge Cup Handicap Steeple Chase
Herakles Westwood remains in touch and Il Ridoto is ridden forward before being steadied in fourth place.
Still there’s very little to separate the field who begin to spread out.
Mike Jones12 March 2026 17:23
5.20pm – Kim Muir Challenge Cup Handicap Steeple Chase
Ask Brewster pushes up to second but the field is closely bunched and positions change hands refequently.
Ask Brewster gets his nose ahead pg Glengouly with Monbeg Genius making his way forward.
Mike Jones12 March 2026 17:22
5.20pm – Kim Muir Challenge Cup Handicap Steeple Chase
Glengouly takes the early lead at the front of this large pack of horses but he’s overtaken by Herakles Westwood who prefers to set the pace.
Mike Jones12 March 2026 17:21