Ryanair Chase Explained

Class:Grade 1
Horse Race:Ryanair Chase
Location:Cheltenham Racecourse
Cheltenham, England
Inaugurated:2005
Race Type:Chase
Sponsor:Ryanair
Website:Cheltenham
Distance:2m 4f 127y (4,139 metres)
Surface:Turf
Track:Left-handed
Qualification:Five-years-old and up
Weight:11 st 8 lb (5yo);
11 st 10 lb (6yo+)
Allowances
7 lb for mares
Purse:£375,000(2023)
1st: £211,013

|}The Ryanair Chase is a Grade 1 National Hunt steeplechase in Great Britain which is open to horses aged five years or older. It is run on the New Course at Cheltenham over a distance of about 2 miles and 4½ furlongs (2 miles 4 furlongs and 127 yards, or 4,139 metres), and during its running there are seventeen fences to be jumped. The race is scheduled to take place each year during the Cheltenham Festival in March.

It was one of several new races introduced at the Festival when a fourth day was added to the meeting in 2005. Prior to this there had been a similar event at the Festival called the Cathcart Challenge Cup, but this was restricted to first and second-season chasers only.

The registered (non-sponsored) title of the race is the Festival Trophy, and it was initially classed at Grade 2 level. The inaugural running was sponsored by the Daily Telegraph, and since then it has been backed by Ryanair. The event has held Grade 1 status since 2008.

Records

Most successful horse (2 wins):

Leading jockey (4 wins):

Leading trainer (5 wins):

Winners

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Year
Winner
Age
Jockey
Trainer
2005Thisthatandtother9Ruby WalshPaul Nicholls
2006Fondmort10Mick FitzgeraldNicky Henderson
2007Taranis6Ruby WalshPaul Nicholls
2008Our Vic10Timmy MurphyDavid Pipe
2009Imperial Commander8Paddy BrennanNigel Twiston-Davies
2010Albertas Run9Tony McCoyJonjo O'Neill
2011Albertas Run10Tony McCoyJonjo O'Neill
2012Riverside Theatre8Barry GeraghtyNicky Henderson
2013Cue Card7Joe TizzardColin Tizzard
2014Dynaste8Tom ScudamoreDavid Pipe
2015Uxizandre7Tony McCoyAlan King
2016Vautour7Ruby WalshWillie Mullins
2017Un de Sceaux9Ruby WalshWillie Mullins
2018Balko des Flos7Davy RussellHenry de Bromhead
2019Frodon7Bryony FrostPaul Nicholls
2020Min9Paul TownendWillie Mullins
2021Allaho7Rachael BlackmoreWillie Mullins
2022Allaho8Paul TownendWillie Mullins
2023Envoi Allen9Rachael BlackmoreHenry De Bromhead
2024Protektorat9Harry SkeltonDan Skelton

See also

References