2025 Ryanair Chase

[Lobos]

Ill Est Francais...

"It's not guaranteed he'll go to the Ryanair. We'll be watching the racing in Ireland with intent this weekend," George said. "If Fact To File ended up running in the Gold Cup we'd likely go for the Ryanair, and I think he'd have a great chance in it, but if he were to drop into the Ryanair we're very much considering the Champion Chase."
George added: "It's ground dependent as well – on good ground we could even consider the Gold Cup, but it might just as easily be soft. There are so many things to consider, but if Fact To File doesn't run in the Ryanair we'll probably go there."

[Runragged]

Ill Est Francais...

"It's not guaranteed he'll go to the Ryanair. We'll be watching the racing in Ireland with intent this weekend," George said. "If Fact To File ended up running in the Gold Cup we'd likely go for the Ryanair, and I think he'd have a great chance in it, but if he were to drop into the Ryanair we're very much considering the Champion Chase."
George added: "It's ground dependent as well – on good ground we could even consider the Gold Cup, but it might just as easily be soft. There are so many things to consider, but if Fact To File doesn't run in the Ryanair we'll probably go there."

What an awful attitude for a trainer to have. Fair enough if you have a Ballyburn situation like last year when there was a clear class edge between him and many of the other leading novices last year. But, Fact To File has done nothing to suggest he is a superstar (To the point you want to avoid him) this year. His win first up in the John Durkan was good, but on a line through Spillaines Tower then Il Est Francais is better and is backed up by RPR's with IEF getting 173 in the King George, beating the 171 best of F2F in his defeat behind Galopin Des Champs last time. For F2F to go Ryanair then he would of been comfortably beat at the DRF (A win or narrow defeat surely sees him go GC) and so would be going in on the back of two defeats. The Champion Chase is mooted but you are taking on a horse who has run to RPR's of 174 and a career best 177 last time. Out of all three options (GDC, F2F & Jon) the one I would want to be taking on would be F2F. Then there is the question of which race would suit best? His stamina was waning in the King George so the longer trip and stiffer finish as well as the fact the horse has burst blood vessels in the past, it would question whether the Gold Cup is the right race. I've already made clear my opinion on him going Champion Chase where he would be running at 2m for the first time whilst also having competition for the lead from horses considerably faster than he has ever encountered before. You then have the intermediate trip, where it pays to be handy and get into a good rhythm jumping as it is very hard to make up ground in the closing stages. Though the field is unknown I don't see too many options for contesting a lead. Jungle Boogie a possible but the whole race set up looks perfect for IEF if he was to stand a chance of winning at the Festival. Instead they may go a different route to avoid F2F...

[Istabraq]

What an awful attitude for a trainer to have.

Yeah I agree, allowing your target to be dictated by other horses is poor enough but to say it publicly is another level....

[Quevega]

Yeah I agree, allowing your target to be dictated by other horses is poor enough but to say it publicly is another level....

I mean, he's certainly doing his thinking out loud that's for sure and trying to verbalise his thought processes and the type of things that will impact his decision.
Which is completely logical, even if you disagree on his opinions/rating of one horse over another (that's another discussion)

All trainers will look at likely opposition when making entries for certain. This will almost always be a factor (except for a select few)
He might be being more open than he needs to be, but that has to be better than............

"he's in them all, and we'll see nearer the time" or "we'll see what the grounds like and then decide"

At least with him sharing more information than this - we get more clues.
It'll probably not help though

[Kevloaf]

Avoiding Fact To File in the Ryanair to take on Galopin Des Champs in a Gold Cup makes no sense, as they only way Fact To File is in the Ryanair is if Galpin has soundly beaten him again, making that task harder?

So the related treble is Il Est Francais (QMCC) Fact To File (Ryanair) Galopin Des Champs (Gold Cup)

I hate it haha
Or do I like it

[Benjy23]

You love it. 70/1 antepost or 27/1 NRNB is the only real question...

[FinalFurlong91]

Think he's been over indulging in the French red wine

Run him in the Ryanair. It'll be the race that suits him best and the one he has the best chance of winning.

[Lobos]

You love it. 70/1 antepost or 27/1 NRNB is the only real question...

The former all day long for me with small stakes.

[Kevloaf]

You love it. 70/1 antepost or 27/1 NRNB is the only real question...

28.25/1 as you don't need the NRNB for GDC? Other 2x NRNB

[Willdunn99]

Whilst it’s annoying 3 races are being considered, I actually appreciate the trainer being open with his thinking and what’s going to influence his decision.

least it allows us to put on some doubles for cover.

I like fact file to win DRF & IEF Ryanair double at 35/1.

If gallopin beats FF comfortably again then surely it’s likely he goes Ryanair. Luckily have some good prices for FF for Ryanair already.

I am scared where ever IEF runs he has a good chance (apart from Gold Cup) so I think he’s must cover for my ante post bets in the Ryanair and champion chase!

[Kevloaf]

Whilst it’s annoying 3 races are being considered, I actually appreciate the trainer being open with his thinking and what’s going to influence his decision.

least it allows us to put on some doubles for cover.

I like fact file to win DRF & IEF Ryanair double at 35/1.

If gallopin beats FF comfortably again then surely it’s likely he goes Ryanair. Luckily have some good prices for FF for Ryanair already.

I am scared where ever IEF runs he has a good chance (apart from Gold Cup) so I think he’s must cover for my ante post bets in the Ryanair and champion chase!

I actually think his NRNB price at 16/1 for the Gold Cup is fair enough

Sounds like he'd only run if GDC and FtF don't

[Quevega]

“Banbridge is in good form. He hasn’t done much since Kempton, but he’s in good shape,” said O’Brien.

“I’ve not had a chat with Ronnie about where he’ll go next, but we’re looking forward to the spring with him and he’s been training well since Kempton.

“We will just see how all the races look like shaping up, see what conditions are like and then just go with where we feel the best option is.”


Joseph today on Banbridge - Do people prefer this instead ?
Basically fucking nothing
He might as well have belched and giggled.

Also entered in all three, plus might skip for aintree.

https://t.attheraces.com/news/2025/January/30/banbridge-connections-in-no-rush-to-firm-up-future-big-race-plans

[riccirich]

“Banbridge is in good form. He hasn’t done much since Kempton, but he’s in good shape,” said O’Brien.

“I’ve not had a chat with Ronnie about where he’ll go next, but we’re looking forward to the spring with him and he’s been training well since Kempton.

“We will just see how all the races look like shaping up, see what conditions are like and then just go with where we feel the best option is.”


Joseph today on Banbridge - Do people prefer this instead ?
Basically fucking nothing
He might as well have belched and giggled.

Also entered in all three, plus might skip for aintree.

https://t.attheraces.com/news/2025/J...big-race-plans

Yes I prefer it, meaningless drivel is what I'm used to hearing from trainers, I find it comforting.

All this openness and honesty is new and scary.

[Lobos]

“Banbridge is in good form. He hasn’t done much since Kempton, but he’s in good shape,” said O’Brien.

“I’ve not had a chat with Ronnie about where he’ll go next, but we’re looking forward to the spring with him and he’s been training well since Kempton.

“We will just see how all the races look like shaping up, see what conditions are like and then just go with where we feel the best option is.”


Joseph today on Banbridge - Do people prefer this instead ?
Basically fucking nothing
He might as well have belched and giggled.

Also entered in all three, plus might skip for aintree.

https://t.attheraces.com/news/2025/J...big-race-plans

He's just cut and pasted the comments from Ill Est Francais's trainer