Fact To File faces potential withdrawal from the Ryanair Chase on day three of the Cheltenham Festival due to firm ground conditions. Owner JP McManus holds the final say, stating the horse will only compete if significant rain softens the track before the 4pm GMT start.

Ground Concerns Drive Decision

McManus, who consulted trainer Willie Mullins but reserves the right to overrule, expressed dissatisfaction with the course after walking it daily. “I left it to Willy, but I can overrule him,” McManus noted less than two hours before the race amid light rain. “I have to say I found it too much for him… part of the course altogether not to my liking. They’ve done a great job, but I think they could’ve done more, especially at the top of the track. If there’s significant rain, he’ll run; if there’s not, he won’t.”

Racing manager Frank Berry echoed the worries earlier: “I’m very worried about the ground, it’s up in the air at the moment.” The track remains Good to Good to Soft despite morning showers, insufficient for optimal performance.

Fact To File’s Strong Form

The Willie Mullins-trained nine-year-old gelding enters as the Evens favorite after a five-length Irish Gold Cup win. Fact To File defended his Ryanair Chase title last year, stalking the leaders before surging clear with jockey Mark Walsh, winning by nine lengths over two miles four and a half furlongs.

This Grade 1 race suits intermediate-distance specialists who may struggle in Friday’s longer Gold Cup.

Key Rivals in the Field

McManus also fields Jonbon, trained by Nicky Henderson and ridden by Nico de Boinville. The in-form contender boasts 20 wins from 27 starts, never placing outside the top two, with morning odds at 4/1.

Mullins saddles another runner, Impaire Et Passe with Paul Townend. Fact To File’s absence could spark a tight battle between Jonbon and Impaire Et Passe.