The Ryanair has its own examination. A top two-miler does not automatically improve for the extra distance, and a strong stayer does not automatically possess the pace to hold a position. The attraction is the meeting of those profiles. The work is deciding which one is best suited to the actual race, rather than treating it as a consolation prize for horses aimed elsewhere.
A specialist trip deserves specialist evidence
This Grade 1 chase takes place over an intermediate distance on the New Course. Start with the strongest performances around this sort of trip, then consider what the alternatives have shown over shorter or longer distances.
When a horse changes trip, look at the manner of its races. A two-miler finishing powerfully may have more to give, but settling is important. A three-miler dropping back needs to travel without being hurried into errors. The distance change should fit the horse’s way of racing.
Ryanair Chase
Stats & trends.
Go beyond the winner. Study the price, the preparation and the next run. The detail is yours to explore.
Winners returned as favourite, joint or co-favourite
calculated from listed winner records
Above: shares calculated from the listed winners. These are historical characteristics, not a runner’s chance of winning.
Every winner. Every detail.
2015–2026 · Follow the same horses from their preparation to what happened next.
| Year | Winner | Jockey | Trainer | Age | Weight | Price | Runners | Fav. position | Rating | Season | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Runs | Wins | ||||||||||
| 2026 | Heart Wood | Darragh O'Keeffe | Henry De Bromhead | 8 | 11-10 | 9/2 | 7 | 2nd | 162 | 3 | 2 |
| 2025 | Fact To File | Mark Walsh | Willie Mullins | 8 | 11-10 | 6/4 F | 9 | 1st | 166 | 3 | 1 |
| 2024 | Protektorat | Harry Skelton | Dan Skelton | 9 | 11-10 | 17/2 | 11 | 2nd | 165 | 4 | 0 |
| 2023 | Envoi Allen | Rachael Blackmore | Henry De Bromhead | 9 | 11-10 | 13/2 3F | 9 | 2nd | 163 | 2 | 1 |
| 2022 | Allaho | Paul Townend | Willie Mullins | 8 | 11-10 | 4/7 F | 7 | 1st | 174 | 2 | 2 |
| 2021 | Allaho | Rachael Blackmore | Willie Mullins | 7 | 11-10 | 3/1 F | 11 | 1st | 162 | 3 | 1 |
| 2020 | Min | Paul Townend | Willie Mullins | 9 | 11-10 | 2/1 2F | 8 | 3rd | 170 | 2 | 1 |
| 2019 | Frodon | Bryony Frost | Paul Nicholls | 7 | 11-10 | 9/2 2F | 12 | 8th | 169 | 4 | 3 |
| 2018 | Balko Des Flos | Davy Russell | Henry De Bromhead | 7 | 11-10 | 8/1 3F | 6 | 2nd | 166 | 4 | 1 |
| 2017 | Un De Sceaux | Ruby Walsh | Willie Mullins | 9 | 11-10 | 7/4 F | 8 | 1st | 171 | 3 | 2 |
| 2016 | Vautour | Ruby Walsh | Willie Mullins | 7 | 11-10 | Evs F | 15 | 1st | 176 | 2 | 1 |
| 2015 | Uxizandre | A P McCoy | Alan King | 7 | 11-10 | 16/1 | 14 | 3rd | 161 | 4 | 1 |
2026Heart WoodAGE 8 · 11-109/2
- Jockey
- Darragh O'Keeffe
- Trainer
- Henry De Bromhead
- Age
- 8
- Weight
- 11-10
- Price
- 9/2
- Runners
- 7
- Favourite position
- 2nd
- Rating
- 162
- Season R / W
- 3/2
2025Fact To FileAGE 8 · 11-106/4 F
- Jockey
- Mark Walsh
- Trainer
- Willie Mullins
- Age
- 8
- Weight
- 11-10
- Price
- 6/4 F
- Runners
- 9
- Favourite position
- 1st
- Rating
- 166
- Season R / W
- 3/1
2024ProtektoratAGE 9 · 11-1017/2
- Jockey
- Harry Skelton
- Trainer
- Dan Skelton
- Age
- 9
- Weight
- 11-10
- Price
- 17/2
- Runners
- 11
- Favourite position
- 2nd
- Rating
- 165
- Season R / W
- 4/0
2023Envoi AllenAGE 9 · 11-1013/2 3F
- Jockey
- Rachael Blackmore
- Trainer
- Henry De Bromhead
- Age
- 9
- Weight
- 11-10
- Price
- 13/2 3F
- Runners
- 9
- Favourite position
- 2nd
- Rating
- 163
- Season R / W
- 2/1
2022AllahoAGE 8 · 11-104/7 F
- Jockey
- Paul Townend
- Trainer
- Willie Mullins
- Age
- 8
- Weight
- 11-10
- Price
- 4/7 F
- Runners
- 7
- Favourite position
- 1st
- Rating
- 174
- Season R / W
- 2/2
2021AllahoAGE 7 · 11-103/1 F
- Jockey
- Rachael Blackmore
- Trainer
- Willie Mullins
- Age
- 7
- Weight
- 11-10
- Price
- 3/1 F
- Runners
- 11
- Favourite position
- 1st
- Rating
- 162
- Season R / W
- 3/1
2020MinAGE 9 · 11-102/1 2F
- Jockey
- Paul Townend
- Trainer
- Willie Mullins
- Age
- 9
- Weight
- 11-10
- Price
- 2/1 2F
- Runners
- 8
- Favourite position
- 3rd
- Rating
- 170
- Season R / W
- 2/1
2019FrodonAGE 7 · 11-109/2 2F
- Jockey
- Bryony Frost
- Trainer
- Paul Nicholls
- Age
- 7
- Weight
- 11-10
- Price
- 9/2 2F
- Runners
- 12
- Favourite position
- 8th
- Rating
- 169
- Season R / W
- 4/3
2018Balko Des FlosAGE 7 · 11-108/1 3F
- Jockey
- Davy Russell
- Trainer
- Henry De Bromhead
- Age
- 7
- Weight
- 11-10
- Price
- 8/1 3F
- Runners
- 6
- Favourite position
- 2nd
- Rating
- 166
- Season R / W
- 4/1
2017Un De SceauxAGE 9 · 11-107/4 F
- Jockey
- Ruby Walsh
- Trainer
- Willie Mullins
- Age
- 9
- Weight
- 11-10
- Price
- 7/4 F
- Runners
- 8
- Favourite position
- 1st
- Rating
- 171
- Season R / W
- 3/2
2016VautourAGE 7 · 11-10Evs F
- Jockey
- Ruby Walsh
- Trainer
- Willie Mullins
- Age
- 7
- Weight
- 11-10
- Price
- Evs F
- Runners
- 15
- Favourite position
- 1st
- Rating
- 176
- Season R / W
- 2/1
2015UxizandreAGE 7 · 11-1016/1
- Jockey
- A P McCoy
- Trainer
- Alan King
- Age
- 7
- Weight
- 11-10
- Price
- 16/1
- Runners
- 14
- Favourite position
- 3rd
- Rating
- 161
- Season R / W
- 4/1
| Year | Winner | Cheltenham | Distance Form (19-21f) | Hurdle | Chase | Previous race | Days since run | Previous result | Grade Wins | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Runs | Wins | Runs | Wins | Runs | Wins | Runs | Wins | Grade 1 wins | Grade 2 wins | Grade 3 wins | |||||
| 2026 | Heart Wood | 1 | 0 | 7 | 1 | 6 | 1 | 13 | 4 | New Years Day Chase (Tramore) | 70 | 1 / 7 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 2025 | Fact To File | 2 | 1 | 5 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 4 | Irish Gold Cup (Leopardstown) | 40 | 3 / 10 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| 2024 | Protektorat | 11 | 2 | 7 | 3 | 9 | 1 | 16 | 5 | Denman Chase (Newbury) | 33 | 3 / 5 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| 2023 | Envoi Allen | 4 | 2 | 9 | 7 | 4 | 4 | 12 | 6 | King George VI Chase (Kempton) | 80 | 7 / 9 | 7 | 2 | 1 |
| 2022 | Allaho | 3 | 1 | 7 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 10 | 5 | Horse & Jockey Hotel Chase (Thurles) | 53 | 1 / 4 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| 2021 | Allaho | 2 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 6 | 2 | Horse & Jockey Hotel Chase (Thurles) | 50 | 1 / 7 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 2020 | Min | 3 | 0 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 2 | 15 | 8 | Dublin Chase (Leopardstown) | 40 | 2 / 7 | 5 | 2 | 0 |
| 2019 | Frodon | 10 | 4 | 16 | 8 | 8 | 2 | 22 | 10 | Cotswold Chase (Cheltenham) | 47 | 1 / 6 | 0 | 4 | 3 |
| 2018 | Balko Des Flos | 2 | 0 | 7 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 10 | 2 | Christmas Chase (Leopardstown) | 77 | 2 / 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2017 | Un De Sceaux | 3 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 9 | 8 | 11 | 7 | Clarence House Chase (Cheltenham) | 47 | 1 / 7 | 6 | 2 | 1 |
| 2016 | Vautour | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 7 | 5 | 6 | 4 | King George VI Chase (Kempton) | 82 | 2 / 9 | 4 | 3 | 0 |
| 2015 | Uxizandre | 2 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 7 | 2 | 9 | 4 | Game Spirit Chase (Newbury) | 33 | UR / 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
2026Heart WoodBEFORE THE RACE
- Cheltenham R / W
- 1/0
- Distance Form (19-21f) R / W
- 7/1
- Hurdle R / W
- 6/1
- Chase R / W
- 13/4
- Previous race
- New Years Day Chase (Tramore)
- Days since run
- 70
- Previous result
- 1 / 7
- Grade Wins 1 / 2 / 3
- 0/0/2
2025Fact To FileBEFORE THE RACE
- Cheltenham R / W
- 2/1
- Distance Form (19-21f) R / W
- 5/4
- Hurdle R / W
- 0/0
- Chase R / W
- 7/4
- Previous race
- Irish Gold Cup (Leopardstown)
- Days since run
- 40
- Previous result
- 3 / 10
- Grade Wins 1 / 2 / 3
- 3/0/0
2024ProtektoratBEFORE THE RACE
- Cheltenham R / W
- 11/2
- Distance Form (19-21f) R / W
- 7/3
- Hurdle R / W
- 9/1
- Chase R / W
- 16/5
- Previous race
- Denman Chase (Newbury)
- Days since run
- 33
- Previous result
- 3 / 5
- Grade Wins 1 / 2 / 3
- 2/1/0
2023Envoi AllenBEFORE THE RACE
- Cheltenham R / W
- 4/2
- Distance Form (19-21f) R / W
- 9/7
- Hurdle R / W
- 4/4
- Chase R / W
- 12/6
- Previous race
- King George VI Chase (Kempton)
- Days since run
- 80
- Previous result
- 7 / 9
- Grade Wins 1 / 2 / 3
- 7/2/1
2022AllahoBEFORE THE RACE
- Cheltenham R / W
- 3/1
- Distance Form (19-21f) R / W
- 7/5
- Hurdle R / W
- 4/1
- Chase R / W
- 10/5
- Previous race
- Horse & Jockey Hotel Chase (Thurles)
- Days since run
- 53
- Previous result
- 1 / 4
- Grade Wins 1 / 2 / 3
- 2/2/1
2021AllahoBEFORE THE RACE
- Cheltenham R / W
- 2/0
- Distance Form (19-21f) R / W
- 4/2
- Hurdle R / W
- 4/1
- Chase R / W
- 6/2
- Previous race
- Horse & Jockey Hotel Chase (Thurles)
- Days since run
- 50
- Previous result
- 1 / 7
- Grade Wins 1 / 2 / 3
- 0/1/1
2020MinBEFORE THE RACE
- Cheltenham R / W
- 3/0
- Distance Form (19-21f) R / W
- 5/4
- Hurdle R / W
- 5/2
- Chase R / W
- 15/8
- Previous race
- Dublin Chase (Leopardstown)
- Days since run
- 40
- Previous result
- 2 / 7
- Grade Wins 1 / 2 / 3
- 5/2/0
2019FrodonBEFORE THE RACE
- Cheltenham R / W
- 10/4
- Distance Form (19-21f) R / W
- 16/8
- Hurdle R / W
- 8/2
- Chase R / W
- 22/10
- Previous race
- Cotswold Chase (Cheltenham)
- Days since run
- 47
- Previous result
- 1 / 6
- Grade Wins 1 / 2 / 3
- 0/4/3
2018Balko Des FlosBEFORE THE RACE
- Cheltenham R / W
- 2/0
- Distance Form (19-21f) R / W
- 7/1
- Hurdle R / W
- 5/1
- Chase R / W
- 10/2
- Previous race
- Christmas Chase (Leopardstown)
- Days since run
- 77
- Previous result
- 2 / 12
- Grade Wins 1 / 2 / 3
- 0/0/0
2017Un De SceauxBEFORE THE RACE
- Cheltenham R / W
- 3/2
- Distance Form (19-21f) R / W
- 3/3
- Hurdle R / W
- 9/8
- Chase R / W
- 11/7
- Previous race
- Clarence House Chase (Cheltenham)
- Days since run
- 47
- Previous result
- 1 / 7
- Grade Wins 1 / 2 / 3
- 6/2/1
2016VautourBEFORE THE RACE
- Cheltenham R / W
- 2/2
- Distance Form (19-21f) R / W
- 3/3
- Hurdle R / W
- 7/5
- Chase R / W
- 6/4
- Previous race
- King George VI Chase (Kempton)
- Days since run
- 82
- Previous result
- 2 / 9
- Grade Wins 1 / 2 / 3
- 4/3/0
2015UxizandreBEFORE THE RACE
- Cheltenham R / W
- 2/1
- Distance Form (19-21f) R / W
- 5/1
- Hurdle R / W
- 7/2
- Chase R / W
- 9/4
- Previous race
- Game Spirit Chase (Newbury)
- Days since run
- 33
- Previous result
- UR / 5
- Grade Wins 1 / 2 / 3
- 1/0/0
| Year | Winner | Next run | Date | Result | Rest-of-season runs | Rest-of-season results | Next Cheltenham Festival run | Festival result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Heart Wood | Melling Chase (Aintree) | Apr-26 | 3 / 7 | 1 | 0 wins, 0 placed | - | - |
| 2025 | Fact To File | Champion Chase (Punchestown) | Apr-25 | 4 / 6 | 1 | 0 wins, 0 placed | - | - |
| 2024 | Protektorat | Melling Chase (Aintree) | Apr-24 | 3 / 7 | 1 | 0 wins, 0 placed | Ryanair Chase | 4 / 9 |
| 2023 | Envoi Allen | Punchestown Gold Cup (Punchestown) | Apr-23 | 4 / 5 | 1 | 0 wins, 0 placed | Ryanair Chase | 2 / 11 |
| 2022 | Allaho | Punchestown Gold Cup (Punchestown) | Apr-22 | 1 / 9 | 1 | 1 win, 0 placed | - | - |
| 2021 | Allaho | Champion Chase (Punchestown) | Mar-21 | 2 / 6 | 1 | 0 wins, 1 placed | Ryanair Chase | 1 / 7 |
| 2020 | Min | John Durkan Chase (Punchestown) | Dec-20 | 1 / 7 | 0 | - | Ryanair Chase | PU / 11 |
| 2019 | Frodon | Old Roan Chase (Aintree) | Oct-19 | 3 / 5 | 0 | - | Ryanair Chase | 4 / 8 |
| 2018 | Balko Des Flos | Melling Chase (Aintree) | Apr-18 | 4 / 6 | 1 | 0 wins, 0 placed | Ryanair Chase | 7 / 12 |
| 2017 | Un De Sceaux | Champion Chase (Punchestown) | Apr-17 | 2 / 8 | 1 | 0 wins, 1 placed | Ryanair Chase | 2 / 6 |
| 2016 | Vautour | Melling Chase (Aintree) | Apr-16 | F / 6 | 2 | 0 wins, 1 placed | - | - |
| 2015 | Uxizandre | Clarence House Chase (Cheltenham) | Jan-17 | 2 / 7 | 0 | - | - | - |
2026Heart WoodTHE NEXT CHAPTER
- Next run
- Melling Chase (Aintree)
- Date
- Apr-26
- Result
- 3 / 7
- Season runs after
- 1
- Season results after
- 0 wins, 0 placed
- Next Festival run
- -
- Festival result
- -
2025Fact To FileTHE NEXT CHAPTER
- Next run
- Champion Chase (Punchestown)
- Date
- Apr-25
- Result
- 4 / 6
- Season runs after
- 1
- Season results after
- 0 wins, 0 placed
- Next Festival run
- -
- Festival result
- -
2024ProtektoratTHE NEXT CHAPTER
- Next run
- Melling Chase (Aintree)
- Date
- Apr-24
- Result
- 3 / 7
- Season runs after
- 1
- Season results after
- 0 wins, 0 placed
- Next Festival run
- Ryanair Chase
- Festival result
- 4 / 9
2023Envoi AllenTHE NEXT CHAPTER
- Next run
- Punchestown Gold Cup (Punchestown)
- Date
- Apr-23
- Result
- 4 / 5
- Season runs after
- 1
- Season results after
- 0 wins, 0 placed
- Next Festival run
- Ryanair Chase
- Festival result
- 2 / 11
2022AllahoTHE NEXT CHAPTER
- Next run
- Punchestown Gold Cup (Punchestown)
- Date
- Apr-22
- Result
- 1 / 9
- Season runs after
- 1
- Season results after
- 1 win, 0 placed
- Next Festival run
- -
- Festival result
- -
2021AllahoTHE NEXT CHAPTER
- Next run
- Champion Chase (Punchestown)
- Date
- Mar-21
- Result
- 2 / 6
- Season runs after
- 1
- Season results after
- 0 wins, 1 placed
- Next Festival run
- Ryanair Chase
- Festival result
- 1 / 7
2020MinTHE NEXT CHAPTER
- Next run
- John Durkan Chase (Punchestown)
- Date
- Dec-20
- Result
- 1 / 7
- Season runs after
- 0
- Season results after
- -
- Next Festival run
- Ryanair Chase
- Festival result
- PU / 11
2019FrodonTHE NEXT CHAPTER
- Next run
- Old Roan Chase (Aintree)
- Date
- Oct-19
- Result
- 3 / 5
- Season runs after
- 0
- Season results after
- -
- Next Festival run
- Ryanair Chase
- Festival result
- 4 / 8
2018Balko Des FlosTHE NEXT CHAPTER
- Next run
- Melling Chase (Aintree)
- Date
- Apr-18
- Result
- 4 / 6
- Season runs after
- 1
- Season results after
- 0 wins, 0 placed
- Next Festival run
- Ryanair Chase
- Festival result
- 7 / 12
2017Un De SceauxTHE NEXT CHAPTER
- Next run
- Champion Chase (Punchestown)
- Date
- Apr-17
- Result
- 2 / 8
- Season runs after
- 1
- Season results after
- 0 wins, 1 placed
- Next Festival run
- Ryanair Chase
- Festival result
- 2 / 6
2016VautourTHE NEXT CHAPTER
- Next run
- Melling Chase (Aintree)
- Date
- Apr-16
- Result
- F / 6
- Season runs after
- 2
- Season results after
- 0 wins, 1 placed
- Next Festival run
- -
- Festival result
- -
2015UxizandreTHE NEXT CHAPTER
- Next run
- Clarence House Chase (Cheltenham)
- Date
- Jan-17
- Result
- 2 / 7
- Season runs after
- 0
- Season results after
- -
- Next Festival run
- -
- Festival result
- -
The winner profile.
Calculated from the detailed winner records above. Missing values are excluded from each calculation, so denominators can differ.
| Category | Profile angle | Winners | Share of winners | Study list |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MarketTABLE CALCULATION | Started favourite / joint or co-favourite | 5/12 | ||
| MarketTABLE CALCULATION | Top three in the betting | 9/12 | ||
| Recent formTABLE CALCULATION | Won previous start | 5/12 | ||
| CourseTABLE CALCULATION | Had already won at Cheltenham | 8/12 | ||
| CourseTABLE CALCULATION | Had already run at Cheltenham | 12/12 | ||
| DistanceTABLE CALCULATION | Had won over the listed distance band | 12/12 | ||
| DistanceTABLE CALCULATION | Had run over the listed distance band | 12/12 | ||
| SeasonTABLE CALCULATION | Had at least one win that season | 11/12 | ||
| SeasonTABLE CALCULATION | Had at least three runs that season | 8/12 | ||
| Recent formTABLE CALCULATION | Ran within the previous 60 days | 8/12 | ||
| RatingTABLE CALCULATION | Rated 150 or higher | 12/12 | ||
| AgeTABLE CALCULATION | Aged 7 | 5/12 | ||
| AgeTABLE CALCULATION | Aged 8 | 3/12 | ||
| AgeTABLE CALCULATION | Aged 9 | 4/12 |
Follow-up summary
Reported follow-up figures remain distinct from the detailed winner tables.
Won on next start
Placed on next start
Raced again that season
Won again that season
Placed again that season
Next-start destinations
| Destination | Went | Won | Placed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Melling Chase (Aintree) | 4/12 | 0/4 | 0 |
| Champion Chase (Punchestown) | 3/12 | 0/3 | 2 |
| Gold Cup (Punchestown) | 2/12 | 1/2 | 0 |
Festival returns
| Destination | Went | Won | Placed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ryanair Chase | 7/12 | 1/7 | 2 |
Sample notes and interpretation
- R / W = runs / wins before the Festival race. A dash is a missing or unreported value, not zero. Price suffixes: F = favourite, JF = joint favourite, CF = co-favourite, 2F / 3F = second / third favourite.
- The favourite-position column records the listed result of the favourite(s). Price suffixes identify the winner’s position in the market. These fields are retained independently.
- All listed rows are retained, including blank years. Winner counts exclude rows with no named winner. Later missing results do not imply a loss.
- Summary ratios are retained as reported and may not reconcile with every detailed table cell. They are displayed separately from calculations made from the winner records. A high winner share is not a selection strike rate or evidence of profit.
- “Won” and “placed” are retained as separate reported outcomes. No combined place rate or profit is inferred.
Jumping can determine the race shape
A fluent front-runner can put pressure on rivals without appearing to work especially hard. That does not create a permanent bias towards leaders; it shows why individual jumping styles matter. Assess whether the likely leader will be allowed to find that rhythm.
For horses ridden more patiently, check how they respond when asked to close. Making ground while the field is travelling strongly can be expensive. A runner that needs a long time to organise itself may leave more work for the final stages than the bare form suggests.
Keep target speculation separate from form
Before declarations, leading chasers may be discussed for more than one Festival race. A possible Ryanair runner is not the same as a confirmed one. Use dated comments from connections to understand plans, while allowing for those plans to change.
Once the field is known, compare recent ability, ground and the likely tactical demands. A previous Festival winner can bring valuable evidence of handling the occasion, but the strongest case is built around today’s performance requirements. History should sharpen that case, not become the whole of it.
Previous renewals
The 2027 runners
Declarations will settle the field.
The 2027 runners are not yet declared. A past winner or a horse quoted in an ante-post market is not a confirmed runner. Check entries, connections’ published plans and the final declarations before treating a horse as part of this field.
No live prices or confirmed 2027 runner list are presented in this guide. Reviewed 11 November 2026.
Your questions, answered
Is the Ryanair run over the Gold Cup distance?
No. It is the intermediate-distance championship chase, at approximately 2m4½f.
Is a Gold Cup entry confirmation that a horse will miss the Ryanair?
No. Entries and potential targets need to be distinguished from final declarations and current plans from connections.
Sources & editorial notes
Reviewed 11 November 2026. Interpretation is Puntrr’s; factual results and conditions are linked below.