The Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham Festival is a key event in the annual horse racing calendar. Here’s everything you need to know about the Ryanair Chase 2026.
With the Cheltenham Festival on the horizon, we’re here to make sure you have all of the information you need to make it an unforgettable event. Bringing you four days of world-class racing at Cheltenham Racecourse from Tuesday 10th to Friday 13th March, you can expect high-stakes competition, legendary rivalries and an electric atmosphere from start to finish.
One of the standout contests during Cheltenham Festival is the Ryanair Chase. In this article, you’ll discover when this exhilarating race takes place, how to experience it, and how to place a bet on the Ryanair Chase. Alternatively, explore the full festival schedule, or discover our complete guide to Cheltenham.
What is the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham?
A must-see event, the Ryanair Chase is a Grade 1 National Hunt steeplechase that has become a key highlight of the Festival week.
The Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham Festival strikes a perfect balance between speed and stamina, attracting elite chasers aged 5 and over that thrive at an intermediate distance. Since its inception in 2005, the Ryanair Chase has grown in prestige, serving as a crucial target for top-class horses and offering a lucrative prize pot (£375,000 overall, with £211,013 to first place).
What date is the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham Festival?
You don’t want to miss this iconic turf race, so make sure to put the Ryanair Chase in your diary right away! The 2026 Ryanair Chase takes place on Thursday, 12th March, which is Day 3 of the Cheltenham Festival, also known as St. Patrick’s Thursday.
What time is the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham?
This year’s Ryanair Chase is booked for 4:00 pm on Thursday, 12th March. This puts it between the Stayers’ Hurdle (3:20 pm) and the Pertemps Network Final (4:40 pm).
The Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham Festival is run over two miles and 4 furlongs (4,139 metres). The race duration depends on ground conditions (soft ground tends to extend it a little), but you can generally expect it to last between 5 minutes and 5 minutes 30 seconds.
Where does the Ryanair Chase 2026 take place?
The Ryanair Chase is run on the New Course at Cheltenham Racecourse, with 17 fences that the horses need to jump over.
How can you watch the Cheltenham Ryanair Chase?
The best way to experience this epic event is, of course, to be there in person during the Festival. However, we obviously can’t all be in attendance during the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham, so it’s a good job that all of the action can be watched live on ITV1 on Thursday, 12th March at 4:00 pm.
You could also treat yourself to a Racing TV subscription and watch the entirety of the Cheltenham Festival over the course of four days – just make sure to stock up on snacks!
The Ryanair Chase 2026 horses
At the moment, more than 30 horses remain at the latest entry stage for the 2026 edition of the Ryanair Chase. The final number will be determined closer to the race date, as each horse’s form and suitability need to be assessed. Typically, around 10 to 12 runners compete in the Ryanair Chase.
You can find the full list of potential competitors below:
Fact To File | Gaelic Warrior | Jango Baie |
Jonbon | Majborough | Heart Wood |
Banbridge | Grey Dawning | Romeo Coolio |
The Jukebox Man | Il Etait Temps | Impaire Et Passe |
Panic Attack | Protektorat | Solness |
Spillanes Tower | Found A Fifty | Jagwar |
Matata | Edwardstone | Envoi Allen |
Handstands | Thistle Ask | Energumene |
Gidleigh Park | Better Days Ahead | Firefox |
Champ Kiely | Croke Park | JPR One |
Master Chewy | Twinjets |
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Who are the favourites for the Ryanair Chase?
Since the Ryanair Chase is still a little while away, we can’t confirm the favourites from the final lineup yet. Make sure to check back closer to the race, though, as we’ll provide up-to-date betting odds for all the most likely winners of the race.
Ryanair Chase expert tips
Once the full list of competitors has been finalised, our panel of horse racing experts will provide their take on which horses to keep an eye on in the Ryanair Chase 2026. Watch this space for all the latest betting picks and tips closer to the day of the event!
How to bet on the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham
At Betway, we make it easy to bet on the Ryanair Chase 2026. Whether you’re a first timer who fancies a flutter or a seasoned follower of the Cheltenham Festival, we have everything you need to back your favourite.
You can either place a race win bet on your chosen horse, or take advantage of our 1/5 each way odds, which includes a win bet and a place bet (in this case, if your horse finishes in the top 3).
With that in mind, for the latest advice from our experts, explore our complete collection of Cheltenham betting tips, or check out our full range of horse racing antepost odds.
