Fact To File is a firm favourite to retain his title in the 2026 Ryanair Chase odds after being one of the most impressive victors at last year’s Cheltenham Festival.
The Willie Mullins-trained nine-year-old is set to drop back down in distance after disappointing in the King George and bid to join Albertas Run and Allaho as back-to-back winners of this Thursday's feature.
However, with doubts surrounding the participation of several other horses towards the head of the Ryanair Chase betting, we’re trying to pick out some better-priced entries that may end up being each-way value on March 12.
2026 Ryanair Chase Value Bets
Heart Wood
Heart Wood @ 10/1
Last season’s runner-up has plenty to find with Fact To File on that running and a distant fourth behind Gaelic Warrior and the favourite in November’s John Durkan. The eight-year-old has consistently put in rock-solid performances at a slightly lower level, though, securing Grade Three triumphs at Punchestown and Tramore this term.
Henry de Bromhead has won the Ryanair with Balko Des Flos and Envoi Allen at decent odds, and Heart Wood is a similar type in terms of being versatile tactics-wise. As already stated, he does need to step up a bit, but this race could well fall into his lap.
Bet on Heart Wood
Matata
Matata @ 25/1
Having been a bit of a tearaway in his younger days, the eight-year-old seems to be settling better as he matures, and that certainly served him well when stepping back up to two and a half miles at Cheltenham on New Year’s Day.
Carrying 11st 12lb, Matata turned what had looked a very competitive handicap into a procession after hitting the front following the third last, galloping on strongly to beat Il Ridoto by almost 10 lengths.
Nigel Twiston-Davies said: “We’ve been wanting to go this distance for a long time, and the fact he settled so beautifully was great. “He could do both Cheltenham and Aintree, and he’s a tough horse; he would be a lovely horse to have in the Ryanair.”
Jagwar
Jagwar @ 25/1
Connections have talked about giving this seven-year-old a try over three miles in the spring, but sticking at two and a half for now may be a more prudent option at his age. Jagwar definitely enjoys coming home up the Cheltenham hill, having won on Trials Day last January before going on to prevail in the Plate at the Festival, despite some patchy jumping.
There were a few more errors in the December Gold Cup on his seasonal reappearance, but Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero must have been pleased with the way their charge made late headway to finish a close third.
With his handicap rating rising all the time, moving into graded company would not be an overly ambitious move, especially for a horse that can stay on so well off a strong pace.
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