Heart Wood seizes Cheltenham Festival redemption but Fact To File withdrawal raises vital question<\/p>\n
There was a collective groan from horseracing fans at the Cheltenham Festival when it became clear that JP McManus and Willie Mullins<\/a> did not intend to run fan-favourite Fact To File in Thursday\u2019s Ryanair Chase.<\/p>\n The pair had already raised the eyebrows of spectators last week when omitting him from Friday\u2019s Gold Cup with the reaction to that news one of disbelief. But that wasn\u2019t how McManus saw it.<\/p>\n Read more<\/p>\n Mike Jones12 March 2026 16:56<\/p>\n <\/a>Nicky Henderson speaking to ITV about Jonbon: <\/p>\n “He’s kept this amazing record in tact of never being out of the first two. He never gives up. He finished his race very strongly.<\/p>\n “We’ve toyed with the idea of three miles and you could argue he’d enjoy it. I thought he jumped brilliantly.<\/p>\n “When he was young, it was hard work but he’s mellowed so much as he’s got older. It’s easy with him now.”<\/p>\n Mike Jones12 March 2026 21:00<\/p>\n <\/a>Close contests<\/p>\n Paul Townend is the leading jockey so far at Cheltenham. He has three winners and four runners-up from 11 rides so far.<\/p>\n Harry Skelton is in second place with two winners, a second-place and three thirds.<\/p>\n Ireland\u2019s Willie Mullins is the leading trainer, with five wins while England\u2019s Nicky Henderson has three.<\/p>\n Mike Jones12 March 2026 20:00<\/p>\n <\/a>Willie Mullins makes Cheltenham Festival threat after Fact to File withdraws from Ryanair Chase<\/p>\n Trainer Willie Mullins<\/a> has threatened to stop bringing his best horses to Cheltenham Festival<\/a> over the condition of the racecourse following the late withdrawal of Fact to File in the Ryanair Chase.<\/p>\n Racegoers were rocked on Thursday by the news that odds-on favourite Fact To File would not run in the feature race of St Patrick\u2019s Thursday.<\/p>\n Mike Jones12 March 2026 19:00<\/p>\n <\/a>Cheltenham Festival 2026 tips: Experts\u2019 best bets and 13 horses to watch on Gold Cup day<\/p>\n The Cheltenham Festival<\/a> is concludes today after three previous days of thrilling and unpredictable horseracing action.<\/p>\n Before it signs off for another year, Prestbury Park is set to deliver a sensational crescendo with a closely judged field taking to the course for the Gold Cup. <\/a>The 2025 winner Inothewayurthinkin isn\u2019t being favoured but previous success in this race tends to translate into form and Gavin Cromwell\u2019s champion will attempt to win a second successive crown.<\/p>\n Mike Jones12 March 2026 18:30<\/p>\n <\/a>Prestbury Cup is close<\/p>\n Heading into the final day of racing it\u2019s a close run thing in the Prestbury Cup. <\/p>\n That\u2019s the battle between the Irish and British trainers and Ireland currently lead 11-10. <\/p>\n Seven races to go and it\u2019s a tight contest, can the Brits pull off a win for the first time in a decade? <\/p>\n Mike Jones12 March 2026 18:15<\/p>\n <\/a>James Nesbitt enjoying the Festival<\/p>\n Actor James Nesbitt has been at Cheltenham Festival today and decried about how much fun he\u2019s having. <\/p>\n He said: “I’m loving it at Cheltenham this week. It’s great to be here. I always love it at Cheltenham.<\/p>\n “Ryanair day is always a special day for me after I won it in 2012 with Riverside Theatre (horse he owned). I can’t afford to get back into it now.<\/p>\n “Cheltenham always brings people together – it’s great. I just love it. No-one would come out in this weather unless there was a reason to, and this is a reason to.<\/p>\n “I’ve been staying with Mike and Zara (Tindall) for a couple of nights. I overslept and missed a dinner with them a couple of years ago, but I didn’t miss the dinner with them this time. I’ve matured!\u201d<\/p>\n Mike Jones12 March 2026 18:00<\/p>\n <\/a>Sign up to The Independent’s Racing newsletter<\/p>\n You can find the latest insights, tips, odds and more each day of the Cheltenham Festival right here at The Independent. <\/p>\n Along with our dedicated live blog coverage of each race day we have expert analysis of the biggest stories, tips and predictions from weekly meetings and specialist coverage from the world of horseracing in our Independent Racing newsletter with Jonathan Doidge. <\/p>\n To subscribe to our daily newsletters covering all things Cheltenham follow the link below. <\/p>\n Independent Racing will then drop into your inbox each Friday after the Festival concludes as our insights move towards the Grand National and the Flat racing season beyond. <\/p>\n Mike Jones12 March 2026 17:50<\/p>\n