Ryanair Chase Prediction 2026: Tips, Runners, Preview & Outright Winner
| Timetable | Thursday, 12th March, 2026 at 16:00 GMT |
| Prediction | JANGO BAIE TO WIN! |
| Odds |
The Ryanair Chase is a relatively new addition to the Cheltenham Festival, having been introduced to the schedule in 2005. This year will see the 22nd running of this Grade 1 steeplechase, scheduled for Thursday, March 12th at 16:00. Below, we analyse the key runners and riders and provide our expert Ryanair Chase Cheltenham prediction. We also share tips to bet on horse racing events.
🏆 Ryanair Chase Cheltenham Festival Prediction
The ante-post Ryanair Chase betting odds currently favour Fact To File and Gaelic Warrior, although it has yet to be confirmed whether either runner will compete in this race. Both have been earmarked for the iconic Cheltenham Gold Cup instead and hold official chase ratings of 174 and 172 respectively.
Only eight of the 21 previous Ryanair Chase winners have started as favourites (38.1%), highlighting the risks of backing market leaders. This trend suggests there may be value elsewhere in the field, with Nicky Henderson’s seven-year-old gelding Jango Baie standing out as a particularly interesting alternative.
An impressive 17 of the 21 winners (80.9%) have recorded at least one career victory at Cheltenham. Additionally, multiple winners have posted previous runs over the 2 miles and 4½ furlongs distance, with Jango Baie ticking both boxes within the last 12 months.
Overall, Jango Baie has placed in 10 of his 11 career rules races to date. He has finished in the top three in five of his six steeplechase outings (83.3%), winning three of them. With odds of 7.50 with Dachbet, he represents excellent value in both the win and each-way markets.
OUR PREDICTION: 🏆 JANGO BAIE TO WIN 🏆
🏇 Ryanair Chase Cheltenham Festival Betting Preview
Current Ryanair Chase Cheltenham betting still favours Fact To File and Gaelic Warrior, but their potential absence could open the door for value alternatives. Below, we outline three Ryanair Chase betting tips designed to help you maximise value.
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1️⃣ Jango Baie - Nicky Henderson (Win or Each-Way)
Jango Baie’s price has shortened from 15.00 to 7.50 with Dachbet, reflecting strong early support in the betting markets. This movement suggests growing confidence behind a runner who still offers solid value in both win and each-way markets.
He powered to victory in last year’s G1 Arkle Challenge Trophy Novices' Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, recovering from a slight mistake three fences from home to beat Only By Night by three-quarters of a length. That performance underlined his ability at the highest level and his proven form at Cheltenham.
Jango Baie also scored over two miles and five furlongs in the G2 Ladbrokes 1965 Chase last November, finishing nine lengths clear of Gidleigh Park. Combined with Nicky Henderson’s strong record in this race — two previous winners and seven placed runners (36.8%) — he looks a major contender for the 2026 renewal. Here are the odds favouring Jango Baie:
2️⃣ Jonbon - Nicky Henderson (Place or Each-Way)
Jonbon, a 10-year-old gelding from the Nicky Henderson stable, is currently priced at 13.00 with Dachbet. However, just three runners aged 10 or older have won this race previously (14.3%), making age a potential concern.
His Cheltenham record is slightly mixed, with two wins from seven starts at the course (28.5%). Nevertheless, he boasts an outstanding overall career record, finishing outside the top two only twice and maintaining a consistently elite level of performance across 27 rules races.
Most recently, Jonbon won the G1 Betfair Ascot Chase on February 14th, showing determination to defeat Pic D’orhy by 1½ lengths. Given his overall consistency and current price, he represents strong place and each-way value in what could be a competitive renewal.
3️⃣ Impaire Et Passe - Willie Mullins (Each-Way)
Impaire Et Passe is a compelling each-way option at 23.00 with Dachbet, a price significantly above the general market average. This creates notable value for each-way bettors seeking a higher return.
The eight-year-old has finished in the top three in all nine of his steeplechase outings, winning six times. He has already proven himself over this trip and recently secured victory in the G2 Red Mills Chase at Gowran Park on February 14th, reinforcing his recent form and consistency at graded level.
Trained by Willie Mullins, who has saddled six previous Ryanair Chase winners and 17 placed runners (62.9%), Impaire Et Passe should not be overlooked. While a win may be ambitious, he offers excellent each-way potential, especially for those using free bets or enhanced offers. Find odds for Impaire Et Passe at these betting sites:
📊 Ryanair Chase Cheltenham Festival Winners
To fully assess the current Ryanair Chase odds, it is helpful to review recent trends. Below are the last five winners of the race, including their starting price, jockey, and trainer.
Lewis Humphries
A business and iGaming copywriter from the UK, who has a passion for sports betting and remote casino betting. He's reviewed some of the world's leading casino platforms while creating blog posts and landing page content for various sports betting brands. His content has also been featured on a number of different sites, including Life Hack, Investopedia, Yahoo Finance and Business Insider. He also pens regular sports features for sites including 90 Minutes, Think Football Ideas and Sportsblog.