Cheltenham Festival 2025 LIVE: Results, tips and latest updates from Stayers’ Hurdle after horse death – UK Times

1.20: Ryanair Mares Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2) Race conditions: £105,000 | 2m1f | 8 hurdles | New Course

Winner: Air Of Entitlement (16/1); 2) Sixandahalf (9/4F); 3) Diva Luna (12/1)

2.00: Jack Richards Novices’ Handicap Chase (Grade 2) Race conditions: £125,000 | 2m4f | 17 fences | New Course

Winner: Caldwell Potter (7/1), 2) Anyway (125/1), 3) O’Moore Park (66/1)

2.40: Pertemps Final (Grade 3) Race conditions: £100,000 | 3m | 12 hurdles | New course

Winner: Doddiethegreat (25/1), 2) Jeriko Du Reponet (11/2F), 3) Catch Him Derry (14/1)

3.20: Ryanair Chase (Grade 1) Race conditions: £375,000 | 2m4½f | 17 fences | New Course

Winner: Fact To File (6/4F); 2) Heart Wood (18/1); 3) Envoi Allen (12/1)

“A hell of a field, but he won very easily, a proper horse,” says Willie Mullins.

“A good gallop, but he got all his jumping right, off the bend, Mark was not worried, negotiated the last two fences very well.

“The manner is surprising, I hoped he was good enough to win it, those horses [Il Est Francais and Protektorat] are good horses, horses of a lifetime for most people, but to beat them like that it’s huge.

“Every day of the week [he would give Galopin des Champs its closest battle], he would, yes.

“He’ll be a Gold Cup horse next year I think. That’s what we’re looking at.”

That was magnificent from Fact or File, Il Est Francais just couldn’t last with the hot pace.

“That was brilliant, he never missed a beat,” Mark Walsh says after that excellent ride.

“It’s a dream to ride horses like this and I’m very grateful.”

Fact or File goes past Il Est Francais down to the second last, six lengths clear!

He’s romped home, a dominant win!

Heart Wood in second and Envoi Allen third, with Protektorat fourth.

Il Est Francais takes the lead from Jungle Boogie.

10 fences to go… Fact or File poised, with Protektorat on the outside, negotiating the water jump.

Here we go then, late money for Il Est Francais…

The pace is steadied between fence three and four, the French horse is in a handy position tucked in behind Jungle Boogie.

Then Il Est Francais, Protektorat, but the favourite Fact or File is not far behind.

Willie Mullins tells ITV Racing about Fact or File’s chances in the 3:20 on Day 3: “The Gold Cup was perhaps a bit early in his career.

“We don’t worry about Fact or File and he’s able to keep up a good gallop. It’ll suit us more than anything.”

Jockey Brian Hughes said: “Winners for me here have been few and far between, but I was delighted when my agent got the call from Mr Henderson asking me to ride this one.

“I rode him at Haydock and he ran well.

“He got in a good rhythm and although we missed the second last and I got there sooner than I would have wanted, but I had a willing partner.”

Some sad news emerging from Cheltenham as Springwell Bay, who fell during the running of the Jack Richards Novices’ Handicap Chase, has since died.

A statement from Cheltenham said: “In our second race of the day, Springwell Bay was immediately attended to by our veterinary professionals, but sadly sustained a fatal injury. Our heartfelt condolences are with his connections.”

According to Animal welfare charity Animal Aid, this is the 77th horse death at Cheltenham since 2000 and they have heavily criticised the festival.

“Here we are again – yet one more innocent life lost – whilst the industry cries crocodile tears and proclaim falsehoods about ‘welfare’ and ‘truly caring for the horses’,” said Nina Copleston-Hawkens, Animal Aid Campaigns Manager.

“Make no mistake, any industry which profits of the exploitation and death of innocent animals is working on borrowed time – and Animal Aid will ensure that horse racing is consigned to the history books where it belongs.”

Here’s what winning jockey Brian Hughes said: