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St Patrick's Thursday 2025
St Patrick’s Thursday at The Cheltenham Festival delivered another thrilling day of top-class action, with Ireland extending their lead in the Prestbury Cup to 13-8. Spectators were treated to unforgettable performances, none more impressive than Fact To File’s dominant display in the Ryanair Chase and a brilliant double from Festival superstar Rachael Blackmore.
That Was Impressive... And That’s A Fact!
Fact To File cemented his status as one of the most exciting chasers in training with a commanding victory in the Ryanair Chase. The 6-4 favourite, trained by Willie Mullins and owned by J.P. McManus, jumped impeccably under Mark Walsh, powering clear to win by nine lengths over Heart Wood. This latest success has firmly established him as a major Gold Cup contender for 2026.
Trainer Willie Mullins was full of praise for the seven-year-old, who now boasts back-to-back Festival victories. Mullins hinted that a step up in trip next season could be on the cards, with the Cheltenham Gold Cup looking like a natural target. Fact To File’s dominant performance strengthened Ireland’s grip on the Festival and marked yet another major success for J.P. McManus.
Rachael At The Double – A Festival Star Shines Again
Rachael Blackmore once again demonstrated her brilliance at Cheltenham, securing two victories on the day, including a sensational third Festival triumph for Bob Olinger in the Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle. The 10-year-old, trained by Henry de Bromhead, showed his class and staying power to defeat Teahupoo by a length and three quarters, rolling back the years to claim another Grade One victory. Blackmore’s perfectly timed ride ensured Bob Olinger’s unbeaten record at Cheltenham remained intact.
Blackmore’s first winner of the day came in the Ryanair Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle, where Air Of Entitlement (16-1) battled bravely to defeat Sixandahalf by half a length. It was an emotional victory for Blackmore, who dedicated the win to her late cousin, Robert Blackmore. Henry de Bromhead, who trained both of her winners, hailed her as an outstanding professional, with the victories taking her Festival tally to 18 career wins.
50 Festival Winners for Paul Nicholls
Legendary trainer Paul Nicholls reached a significant milestone at The Cheltenham Festival, as Caldwell Potter stormed to victory in the Jack Richards Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase, bringing up his 50th Festival winner. The 7-1 shot, owned in part by Sir Alex Ferguson and racing in the late John Hales’ famous colours, produced a dominant front-running performance under Harry Cobden, securing a six-and-a-half-length triumph.
An emotional Nicholls reflected on the achievement, acknowledging the challenges of training Caldwell Potter and the patience required to bring out his best. He described the victory as “fantastic,” particularly in the Hales silks, paying tribute to the long-time owner and racing supporter. Despite a mixed season, this landmark win reaffirmed Nicholls’ standing as one of jump racing’s greats, with the 14-time Champion Trainer already eyeing future Festival glory.
Nothing feels like the tension in the air as the iconic Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup race draws near—a contest that has crowned the greatest champions in jump racing history. All enclosure tickets are now sold out.
