2024 Arkle winner Gaelic Warrior to miss 2025 Cheltenham Festival

Gaelic Warrior will miss the 2025 Cheltenham Festival entirely after not being declared for the Ryanair Chase.

Gaelic Warrior had been named among the runners for Thursday's Ryanair Chase after the final stage of confirmations but the 2024 Arkle winner does not feature in the final nine declared for the race.

Instead it's Gaelic Warrior's stablemate Fact To File who will lead Willie Mullins' charge in the Ryanair.

It had been a disappointing season for Gaelic Warrior who endured consecutive disappointments at Leopardstown in December's Paddy's Rewards Club Chase and February's Dublin Chase.

His last outing in the Dublin Chase was particularly underwhelming as he finished third, 14 lengths behind the winner Solness who also had his number in December's Grade 1 clash.

Gaelic Warrior was initially lined up for the Champion Chase but that was scratched following his two Leopardstown flops and Closutton supremo Mullins initially opted for a step up in trip with the Ryanair.

However, following declarations, the three-time Grade 1 winner will not run at Cheltenham at all this year.

Confirmed runners and riders for the Ryanair Chase

For all information such as guides, horses and odds, be sure to explore our dedicated hubs where you can also bet on Cheltenham on every race and bet on the Gold Cup. We also have a Champion Hurdle betting odds hub for everything you need to know about the Champion Hurdle. Maximise your potential winnings with our Cheltenham Super Boosts and other Cheltenham Offers and Promotions. For expert analysis and predictions on every race, visit our Cheltenham Betting Tips page.

Jaquob Crooke

• Cheltenham Racecourse
• • 
  •