Heart Wood Claims Victory over Jonbon in Ryanair Chase

Heart Wood soars to victory, powering over the final fence ahead of the 2/1 favourite Jonbon and 3/1 shot Banbridge landing Henry De Bromhead his first 2026 Cheltenham winner. 

Ridden by Darragh O’Keefe, the horse was sent off with a 9/2 chance after the favourite and defending champion Fact To File was withdrawn just 45 minutes before the race commenced.

With last year’s winner out of the race the crown was up for grabs for the favourite Jonbon who set the pace early on alongside Matata and Master Chewy.

However, the eight-year-old comfortably cruised past them into the lead on the home stretch, flawlessly jumping the final fence sealing a 10-length clear victory ahead of the runner-up Jonbon.

De Bromhead said: “We’re delighted to get on the board. It was getting a bit sketchy there I have to admit, but that was brilliant, Darragh was brilliant on him and he jumped amazing.

“He ran a blinder last year when we rode him to be placed, whereas this year we said we’d go out and give it a real go. He just winged fences and it was one of those dream races.”

Owner Brian Acheson said: “Half-an-hour ago I was on the floor after Teahupoo in the Stayers’ Hurdle and then you come back and win this – it just shows you what a screw-up game this is!

“This fellow was always there and when the favourite came out he had a chance, but we were having such a bad week you start to talk yourself out of it.”

O’Keeffe told ITV: “I’m very grateful to be racing for Henry.

“I was keen to get him a winner on the board. The horses have been running well, these colours have always been great to me.”