McManus' big guns in great shape for Ryanair Chase head-to-head
Winning owner JP McManus after Johnnywho won the Trustmarque Ultima Handicap Chase on day one. Pic: David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile
After swerving a tilt at Cheltenham Gold Cup glory, Fact To File is back to defend the Ryanair Chase crown he won so impressively last year, this time in a fascinating clash with the hugely popular Jonbon.
Willie Mullins' Irish Gold Cup hero has lit up Prestbury Park with dazzling displays the last two years, in particularly when winning the Thursday feature 12 months ago, and now has the chance to secure a third straight Cheltenham Festival triumph.
Owner JP McManus said: "He wasn't entered for the Gold Cup for a reason and that was I was worried he might not get the trip.
"Everyone wants to win the Gold Cup and no more than myself, but the Ryanair felt the right thing for the horse."
McManus' racing manager Frank Berry added: "He would like some rain and it walked quite good, so it could be a concern - you only have to look at his run at Kempton on what could be similar ground.
"The ground would be a worry, but other than that the horse is in great form.
"At the end of the day there were a few things to consider when we chose to come here, stamina was possibly one and we have a couple of other contenders in the Gold Cup.
"It wasn't an easy decision, but he was really good in this race last year so we went for the same trip and hopefully he gets his ground now too."
Fact To File is one of the leading lights of McManus' all-star team for the meeting, but there is no horse the owner holds with more affection than Jonbon, Nicky Henderson's 12-time Grade One winner.
The Festival is the final frontier the 10-year-old has to conquer in his exceptional career to date and now takes a fourth shot at landing the elusive victory missing from his CV.
Henderson said: "He's just very, very well and if he was going to come here, this was the right race for him.
"It's mightily competitive and Fact To File is there as well, but JP was up for him having a go.
"We're very surprised by how well he is given the two hard races at Ascot, but he's always been a happy horse. Even before his last run you were never 100 per cent sure, but he turned out to be fine, so we're hoping it will be the same here.
"He'll love the ground and it won't get soft or heavy, so hopefully he can run well."
It was Henry de Bromhead's Heart Wood that took the runner-up spot behind Fact To File last year and he is back to lock horns once again having won twice over three miles this term.
"He was a very good second behind Fact To File last year and he won well at Tramore on New Year's Day," said Robbie Power, racing manager for owners Robcour.
"Henry is very happy with him. He's versatile ground-wise and will have no issues with whatever conditions he faces we don't think.
"He probably needs to improve a bit to win a Ryanair, but hopefully he can find a little bit and we do think he's a better horse this year than he was last year."
In a race dominated by Irish contenders, the prospect of optimum conditions sees Joseph O'Brien saddle his King George runner-up Banbridge.
Also taking his chance is former Festival winner Impaire Et Passe, who secured Grade One honours over fences at Aintree last season and made a winning return at Gowran last month in the Red Mills Chase.
"It was a career-best performance when he won at Aintree last season and he was good in his reappearance," said Daryl Jacob, racing manager for owners Simon Munir and Isaac Souede.
"Fact To File is very good on his day, but if he has an off-day then there is plenty of prize-money ready to be picked up."
Impaire Et Passe is one of two in the double green of the owners, alongside Matata, who is also one of a pair of Nigel and Willie Twiston-Davies runners alongside Master Chewy.
Joe Tizzard saddles JPR One, with Gordon Elliott's Croke Park completing the line-up.
