Willie Mullins pulled Fact To File from the 2026 Cheltenham Ryanair Chase over firm ground, citing unmet promises of track watering and risking future entries if conditions don’t improve.

Willie Mullins withdrew his top chaser Fact To File from the Ryanair Chase at the 2026 Cheltenham Festival, citing hard ground conditions despite official ratings of good to soft. He criticized unfulfilled promises of watering, saying the track was too firm for elite National Hunt horses and that optimal soft ground is essential for peak performance. Mullins expressed concern over the event’s standards, warning he may withhold future entries if conditions don’t improve. The race was won by Heart Wood, with Jonbon second.