Ryanair Chase
Ryanair Chase
The Ryanair Chase is Day 3’s second blue-ribbon race, run over two and a half miles as an alternative to the Champion Chase or Gold Cup.
Registered as The Festival Trophy, it was introduced in 2005 when the Festival added a fourth day. Originally the Daily Telegraph Festival Trophy Chase, it replaced the Cathcart Challenge Cup and has been sponsored by Ryanair since 2006.
The race has been a stepping stone to Gold Cup success for A Plus Tard (3rd in 2020), Don Cossack (3rd in 2015), and Imperial Commander (winner in 2009). Trends strongly favour course form and stamina—but above all, French-breds, who took the top four in 2025 and have now won 12 consecutive runnings.
Only two horses have won back-to-back: Albertas Run (2010/11) and Allaho (2021/22).
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Thursday 16.00 | 5yo+ | Grade 1
2 miles 4½ furlongs | 17 fences | New Course
Weight: 11st 8lb (5yo) / 11st 10lb (6yo+) | Allowance: 7lb for mares
2025 Prize money: £375,000
PREVIOUS WINNERS
| YEAR | WINNER | SP |
| 2025 | Fact To File | 6/4f |
| 2024 | Protektorat | 17/2 |
| 2023 | Envoi Allen | 13/2 |
| 2022 | Allaho | 4/7f |
| 2021 | Allaho | 3/1f |
| 2020 | Min | 2/1 |
| 2019 | Frodon | 9/2 |
| 2018 | Balko Des Flos | 8/1 |
| 2017 | Un De Sceaux | 7/4f |
| 2016 | Vautour | Evsf |
| 2015 | Uxizandre | 16/1 |
| 2014 | Dynaste | 3/1f |
| 2013 | Cue Card | 7/2 |
| 2012 | Riverside Theatre | 7/2f |
| 2011 | Albertas Run | 6/1 |
| 2010 | Albertas Run | 14/1 |
| 2009 | Imperial Commander | 6/1 |
| 2008 | Our Vic | 4/1 |
| 2007 | Taranis | 9/2 |
| 2006 | Fondmort | 100/30jf |
| 2005 | Thisthatandother | 9/2 |
