Tag Archive for: Conflated

Aintree redemption in A Plus Tard’s sights

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Cheveley Park Stud director Richard Thompson is cautiously optimistic A Plus Tard will show his true colours in the Alder Hey Aintree Bowl on Thursday.

Henry de Bromhead’s charge looked set to become the dominant force in the division following an imperious 15-length victory in last year’s Cheltenham Gold Cup, but little has gone right since.

The nine-year-old returned unsatisfactory blood test results following a disappointing defence of the Betfair Chase at Haydock in November, while a late setback denied him the opportunity to bounce back in the Savills Chase at Leopardstown over Christmas.

Connections ultimately decided to head straight back to Cheltenham, where after travelling well for a long way, he was badly hampered by the fall of Ahoy Senor and the brought-down Sounds Russian, which ultimately led to him being pulled up by Rachael Blackmore.

Having failed to complete a race since his Gold Cup romp 13 months ago, A Plus Tard clearly has questions to answer ahead of his first appearance at Aintree, but hopes are high in the Cheveley Park camp that he can get his career back on track.

A Plus Tard winning the 2022 Cheltenham Gold Cup
A Plus Tard winning the 2022 Cheltenham Gold Cup (David Davies/PA)

Thompson said: “It’s been a difficult season for him, as we all know.

“He was travelling well in the Gold Cup until he got hampered. Would he have troubled the first two, who knows, but he was travelling well.

“I think we’re just hoping that he can travel like that again and show the class that he’s got. We want to see a good, positive showing and signs that he is back to himself.

“I’m not going to say he’s going to win it because it’s a very a hot race, but it’s great to be involved and we look forward to taking our chance.

“He’s won four Grade Ones for us and is a double winner at Cheltenham. He’s won a Gold Cup and a Betfair Chase in imperious fashion – he’s been a great horse for us whatever happens.”

A Plus Tard over the last at Cheltenham last season
A Plus Tard over the last at Cheltenham last season (Mike Egerton/PA)

The Lucinda Russell-trained Ahoy Senor won the Cotswold Chase over course and distance before his Gold Cup fall and he returns to a track he knows well.

Winner of the Sefton Novices’ Hurdle at massive odds of 66-1 in 2021 before landing the Mildmay Novices’ Chase by five lengths last term, Russell believes Ahoy Senor is primed for another bold showing.

“He’s in great form, I’m looking forward to the good ground with him,” Russell said.

Ahoy Senor winning over hurdles at Aintree
Ahoy Senor winning over hurdles at Aintree (Alan Crowhurst/PA)

“This looks a tough race, tougher even than the Gold Cup I think, but he’s in good form and we travel with hope.

“It’s been quite handy to have that extra time between the two meetings, he’s been thriving.

“He always seems to go well at this time of year, he’s quite a spring-time horse.”

Nico de Boinville will reunite with Shishkin after the duo finished second to Envoi Allen in the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham.

Shishkin and Nico de Boinville at Ascot
Shishkin and Nico de Boinville at Ascot (Steven Paston/PA)

Nicky Henderson’s charge was the evens favourite for the event and eventually came home two and three-quarter lengths behind the winner.

“I think we were a bit deflated after Cheltenham, although he did stay on really well up the hill,” de Boinville told Sky Sports Racing.

“We’ve tried to work a few things out and he seems to be in really good order at home – he’s been working well and schooling well.

“He was just never happy from the word go (at Cheltenham). He was never really happy and never really jumping and made hard work of it.

“I don’t think you can really question his temperament given the way he seemed to battle on up the hill and everything has been right since then.

Shishkin and Henderson
Shishkin and Henderson (Steven Paston/PA)

“I’m staying nice and positive and when he’s on-song, he’ll be very hard to beat.

“All the ability is there, it’s just a case of bringing it all together.”

Gordon Elliott’s Gold cup third Conflated takes his chance while Jamie Snowden’s Ga Law, who did not meet the criteria for a planned Grand National bid, completes a field of five after Bravemansgame was withdrawn from the race by the British Horseracing Authority.

Senor ‘thriving’ ahead of Aintree Bowl task

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Lucinda Russell may have the Randox Grand National favourite but there could be earlier celebrations if Ahoy Senor shines in the Alder Hey Aintree Bowl Chase.

The eight-year-old fell at the 17th fence in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, but prior to that won the Cotswold Chase over course and distance in January.

He has shone at Aintree before, winning the Sefton Novices’ Hurdle at massive odds of 66-1 in 2021 and taking the Mildmay Novices’ Chase by five lengths at the meeting the following season.

Though the Festival did not go to plan, the racing calendar has fallen in such a way this term that there is an extra week between two big spring meetings – a boon for horses running in both.

“He’s in great form, I’m looking forward to the good ground with him,” Russell said.

Ahoy Senor winning over hurdles at Aintree
Ahoy Senor winning over hurdles at Aintree (Alan Crowhurst/PA)

“This looks a tough race, tougher even than the Gold Cup I think, but he’s in good form and we travel with hope.

“It’s been quite handy to have that extra time between the two meetings, he’s been thriving.

“He always seems to go well at this time of year, he’s quite a spring-time horse.”

Paul Nicholls’ Bravemansgame was the runner-up in the Cheltenham Gold Cup when last seen, finishing seven lengths behind Willie Mullins’ Galopin Des Champs.

The third-placed horse was a further six and a half lengths behind him and Nicholls was delighted with his performance under Harry Cobden.

Bravemansgame (right) in the Cheltenham Gold Cup
Bravemansgame (right) in the Cheltenham Gold Cup (Tim Goode/PA)

“Bravemansgame ran the race of his life in finishing second in the Gold Cup. It was a hell of a race, as good a Gold Cup as you will see with an end-to-end gallop,” Nicholls told his Betfair blog.

“He was pinpoint accurate at his fences and was the only one to make a race of it with the winner Galopin Des Champs.

“Bravemansgame looks tremendous, has been working really well and there is no sign of his having a hard race at the Festival.

“I’m expecting another big run from him and would argue that if he is not at his best now, I doubt he will be if we wait for Punchestown in two weeks’ time.”

Nico de Boinville will reunite with Shishkin after the duo finished second to Envoi Allen in the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham.

Shishkin and Nico de Boinville at Ascot
Shishkin and Nico de Boinville at Ascot (Steven Paston/PA)

Nicky Henderson’s charge was the evens favourite for the event and eventually came home two and three-quarter lengths behind the winner.

“I think we were a bit deflated after Cheltenham, although he did stay on really well up the hill,” de Boinville told Sky Sports Racing.

“We’ve tried to work a few things out and he seems to be in really good order at home – he’s been working well and schooling well.

“He was just never happy from the word go (at Cheltenham). He was never really happy and never really jumping and made hard work of it.

“I don’t think you can really question his temperament given the way he seemed to battle on up the hill and everything has been right since then.

Shishkin and Henderson
Shishkin and Henderson (Steven Paston/PA)

“I’m staying nice and positive and when he’s on-song, he’ll be very hard to beat.

“All the ability is there, it’s just a case of bringing it all together.”

Gordon Elliott’s Conflated is one of two Irish-trained runners in the race and heads to Aintree following a third-placed run in the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

The nine-year-old, who is owned by Gigginstown House Stud, was second in the Bowl last season when coming home a length behind Clan Des Obeaux.

Elliott told the At The Races website: “He’s going to run in the Aintree Bowl. It looks a hot race, but he came out of Cheltenham in very good form, and we’re keen to let him take his chance.

Gordon Elliott's Conflated
Gordon Elliott’s Conflated (Niall Carson/PA)

“Maybe he didn’t quite get home in the Gold Cup, but he saw out this course and distance at Aintree very well last year. I think he has a good chance.”

Henry de Bromhead’s A Plus Tard, pulled up when defending his Gold Cup crown, is the other Irish contender in the race.

Jamie Snowden’s Ga Law, who did not meet the criteria for a planned Grand National bid, completes the field of six after a gallant fifth in the Ryanair.

Conflated is Bowl-bound, with Elliott assembling strong Aintree squad

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Gordon Elliott is set for strong representation at Aintree’s Randox Grand National Festival, with Cheltenham Gold Cup third Conflated headlining the Cullentra House handler’s raiding party.

In what was widely recognised as a top-class renewal of the blue riband at the Cheltenham Festival, Conflated performed with real credit and only gave way to the impressive winner Galopin Des Champs and gallant runner-up Bravemansgame in the closing stages.

Now the nine-year-old will bid to go one better than his length second to Clan Des Obeaux on Merseyside 12 months ago when he lines up once again in the Alder Hey Aintree Bowl.

Gordon Elliott looks on as Conflated returns from the gallops during a visit to Gordon Elliott’s yard at Longwood in County Meath, Ireland
Gordon Elliott looks on as Conflated returns from the gallops during a visit to Gordon Elliott’s yard at Longwood in County Meath, Ireland (Niall Carson/PA)

“The way it has fallen, and with Willie (Mullins) being very strong at Punchestown, we will send quite a few over to Aintree,” explained Elliott.

“Conflated is going to go for the Bowl, he’s in good form and ran very well in the Gold Cup. We’re looking forward to running him.”

Elliott will also hold leading claims in some of the feature races over timber with Stayers’ Hurdle one-three Sire Du Berlais and Teahupoo set to take their place in the Jrl Group Liverpool Hurdle, while Champion Hurdle third Zanahiyr will have another crack at the all-conquering Constitution Hill in the William Hill Aintree Hurdle.

“Sire Du Berlais and Teahupoo will both run in the three-mile hurdle,” said Elliott.

“Sire Du Berlais turns up once or twice a year and he’s a horse of a lifetime. We are very proud of him.

Zanahiyr could take on Constitution Hill in the William Hill Aintree Hurdle
Zanahiyr could take on Constitution Hill in the William Hill Aintree Hurdle (PA)

“Zanahiyr could run in the two-and-a-half-mile race. He seems to have come out of Cheltenham very well. He seems to enjoy taking his time a little bit, so we’re looking forward to running him.”

Gerri Colombe headed to Prestbury Park as many people’s idea of a banker, but failed to reel in The Real Whacker to be denied a short head in the Brown Advisory.

He will now have the chance to put the record straight in the Air Charter Services Mildmay Novices’ Chase that opens Friday’s action.

“Gerri Colombe is going to run in the three-mile novice chase,” added Elliott.

“He will have an entry in Punchestown as well, but we would just be a little bit nervous that the ground could dry up a little bit before then. It’s not that he needs softer ground, but I think he could be a lot more effective with a bit of dig.”

Elliott will also be represented in all four of the Grade One novice events over hurdles throughout the three days, while he will be mob-handed in the Weatherbys nhstallions.co.uk Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race that brings the meeting to a close on Grand National day.

Naas winner Irish Point will be on Gordon Elliott's Aintree teamsheet
Naas winner Irish Point will be on Gordon Elliott’s Aintree teamsheet (PA)

“I think I’ll run Found A Fifty in the two-mile Grade One (Top Novices’ Hurdle),” said Elliott.

“He’s in good form and hasn’t done an awful lot wrong. We think he’s a good horse and one we are really excited about going chasing with next year.

“Irish Point will go for two-and-a-half-mile Grade One (Turners Mersey Novices’ Hurdle). He didn’t do much wrong the last day and stayed galloping all the way to the line.

“Absolute Notions will go for the three-mile novice (Cavani Menswear Sefton Novices’ Hurdle). We’ve kept him fresh, but I suppose if the ground ended up very soft we might not run him. We could also run Landrake and maybe Cool Survivor.

“Jazzy Matty will go for the juvenile (Jewson Anniversary 4-Y-O Juvenile Hurdle), he won the Boodles and is in great form, while I’ll probably have three or four in the bumper – King Of Kingsfield, Samui and maybe the horse that won in Leopardstown, Pour Les Filles.

No National tilt for Conflated this year, with Bowl the plan at Aintree

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Conflated will attempt to go one place better than last year’s second in the Aintree Bowl following his fine performance to finish third in the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Taking part in the blue riband for the first time, Gordon Elliott’s Irish Gold Cup and Savills Chase hero ran a stormer in the hands of Sam Ewing – still well in the mix at two out and only giving way to the high-class front two of Galopin Des Champs and Bravemansgame in the closing stages.

The nine-year-old holds an entry for the Randox Grand National on April 15 with his Cullentra House handler stating he would love to have a crack at the £500,000 contest with what he believes is “one of the best-handicapped horses in the race.”

However, owners Gigginstown House Stud are preferring to hold fire on a National tilt for this year in favour of another attempt at the opening day three-mile Grade One in which Conflated finished a length second to Clan Des Obeaux 12 months ago.

“It was a fantastic run (in the Gold Cup), we were thrilled with the performance and it was a great ride,” said Gigginstown racing manager Eddie O’Leary.

“He’s a very nice horse and two very good horses beat us. But we know we have a nice horse and we’ll enjoy him while he’s around.”

When asked about the possibility of running in the National, he added: “I would say maybe next year and this year all being well he will go back to Aintree for the Bowl.

“I know Gordon says he’s well handicapped and he may well be, but if he goes back to the Bowl, hopefully we won’t meet the Gold cup first or second there. He’s better going left-handed so we would rather go to Aintree than Punchestown.”

Conflated may have to bide his time to represent the leading owners in the world’s most famous steeplechase, but one assured of his place on the teamsheet is last year’s third Delta Work.

Cheltenham Festival 2023 – Festival Wednesday – Cheltenham Racecourse
Delta Work ridden by jockey Keith Donoghue on their way to winning the Glenfarclas Chase on day two of the Cheltenham Festival (Tim Goode/PA)

He was sent off at 10-1 in last year’s race and despite being slowly away, took well to the challenge and was smuggled into the race under a patient ride from Jack Kennedy to stay on for a place on the podium.

The 10-year-old will now return to Merseyside off a 1lb lower mark and with one of his spring targets already secured, having defended his Glenfarclas Chase title at the Cheltenham Festival.

“The plan all year was the cross-country and then Grand National,” continued O’Leary.

“They were his two main targets and he’s got one in the bank. Now we’ll have a go at the second one all going well and as long as Gordon is happy.

“He missed the start last year which is really important for him as he doesn’t like horses around him. He had a ruck of horses around him, but ran a fantastic race to be third and hopefully he will get away better this year and give himself a chance.”

I’d run Conflated in the National if he was mine, says Elliott

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Gordon Elliott would love to see Conflated take his chance in the Randox Grand National – but does not expect to see the Irish Gold Cup winner line up in the Aintree marathon.

The Gigginstown House Stud-owned nine-year-old backed up his Leopardstown Savills Chase success with a fine run in the Gold Cup at Cheltenham on Friday, finishing third to Galopin Des Champs and Bravemansgame. A further length and a quarter back in fourth was 2022 National hero Noble Yeats.

Conflated is no stranger to Aintree, having been second to Clan Des Obeaux in the Bowl 12 months ago.

A big thumbs up from owner Michael O'Leary after Conflated's Irish Gold Cup victory
A big thumbs up from owner Michael O’Leary after Conflated’s Irish Gold Cup victory (Niall Carson/PA)

Elliott said: “He could go back to Aintree.

“If he was mine, he would run in the Grand National – I think he’s one of the best-handicapped horses in the race, but I don’t think I’ll get my way!”

Also in the mix for Aintree is Gerri Colombe, who finished off the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase in tremendous fashion but was a short-head down on The Real Whacker at the line.

“He is (still a top-class prospect). It just didn’t happen for him on the day,” said the Cullentra handler.

“You could see him in Aintree for the three-miler (Mildmay Novices’ Chase).”

Another on the team for Liverpool could be Mighty Potter, who was third to Stage Star in the Turners Novices’ Chase as the odds-on favourite.

Elliott said: “He was a little bit stiff. He’s had a trot this morning.

“All being well, he could have Aintree, Fairyhouse for the Powers Gold Cup, or Punchestown.

“We’ll see how he is at the end of the week.”

Zanahiyr likely to take on Constitution Hill in Champion Hurdle

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Zanahiyr, who was disqualified from third place behind Honeysuckle in last year’s Champion Hurdle after testing positive for a banned raceday substance, is set to take on Constitution Hill in this season’s renewal.

Trainer Gordon Elliott was fined £1,000 by an independent disciplinary panel of the British Horseracing Authority after a post-race urine test from Zanahiyr was found to contain 3-hydroxylidocaine, a metabolite of the local anaesthetic lidocaine, the source of which could not be established.

Elliott, speaking at the Cheltenham’s launch of the handicap weights, said he is keen to let him take his chance in the Unibet-sponsored day one feature.

He said: “We’ll probably confirm him for the Champion Hurdle and see what numbers are left in. If there are five or six runners, there is every chance he will take his chance in the Champion and we’ll ride him for a place.

“Obviously it looks a very hot race, with Constitution Hill and State Man and a few others, but our idea is we are going to go.

“We will get a look at all the weights (in other races) and see what’s what. It will probably be by the end of the week before we confirm what is going where.”

Conflated is Gold Cup-bound
Conflated is Gold Cup-bound (Niall Carson/PA)

Conflated is the County Meath-based yard’s big Gold Cup hope, having landed the Savills Chase over Christmas.

He fell in last year’s Ryanair Chase, and while Elliott has no qualms about his ability to handle the course, he feels he is different to Don Cossack, who won the blue riband for Cullentra House in 2016.

He said of the nine-year-old: “We are happy with where we are and really looking forward to it now we are two weeks out – we can’t wait.

“Conflated has had a good preparation. He was very good at Leopardstown the last day and was running a good race in the Ryanair last year.

“He is in good nick. It is a competitive race but an open race and we are looking forward to running him.”

He added: “Don Cossack was probably a classier horse and a quicker horse, where Conflated is a real galloper and the trip of the Gold Cup will really suit him.

“We got him in the wrong race last year and we are really looking forward to the Gold Cup now.”

Owner Michael O’Leary (centre) celebrates in the parade ring after winning the Glenfarclas Chase with Delta Work (left), alongside runner-up Tiger Roll
Owner Michael O’Leary (centre) celebrates in the parade ring after winning the Glenfarclas Chase with Delta Work (left), alongside runner-up Tiger Roll (Steven Paston/PA)

Elliott will have four runners in the Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase, spearheaded by last year’s winner Delta Work, who upset stablemate and dual Grand National winner Tiger Roll 12 months ago.

Elliott said: “Delta Work is in great form. This has been the plan since we brought him over to Cheltenham the last day.

“We are really looking forward to the race, but Galvin is going to run in the race along with Mortal and Hardline, so we are going to have four in that one.

“Delta spoiled the part last year (beating Tiger Roll) but obviously Galvin is a good horse.”

The yard appears to have a strong hand in the Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle where the Gary Moore-trained Botox Has is top-weight on 12st.

Salvador Ziggy, The Bosses Oscar, Maxxum and Level Neverending are all set to run for Elliott, who said: “Maxxum didn’t get the best of runs the last day. The Bosses Oscar was second a few years ago, he obviously has a bad mark, but we are looking forward to running them.”

American Mike, who was runner-up to Facile Vega in last season’s Champion Bumper, could be a dark horse for the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle on day two, despite failing to impress on a couple of occasions subsequently.

Elliott feels he could surprise and said: “If he runs, it will be in the Ballymore.

“He has been disappointing, but I wouldn’t give him up on him just yet.”

Three Card Brag, a runaway winner of a Fairyhouse novice hurdle in January, holds several entries in handicaps, but could end up in the Albert Bartlett.

“At the moment we are kind of leaning towards the Albert Bartlett. He is a very good horse and he is going to be an exciting chaser next year.,” Elliott said.

There is no doubting the regard in which Elliott holds Mighty Potter, who is unbeaten in three starts over fences, including twice at the top level. He holds entries in both the Brown Advisory and Turners Novices’ Chase.

Mighty Potter could be a star in the making
Mighty Potter could be a star in the making (Lorraine O’Sullivan/PA)

Asked if he could be the best he has trained, Elliott replied: “It is very hard to say. He has done nothing wrong in his career so far.

“I know it is the old saying that when you are jumping hurdles you say you are looking forward to going chasing, but with Mighty Potter it really does look the case.

“He is very good horse. We will be nervous looking at him, because we are really looking forward to him running.”

Though pulled up behind Constitution Hill in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle last year, Mighty Potter gained Grade One laurels at Punchestown and has been foot-perfect over fences this term.

Elliott added: “He blew out here last year. He made a mistake early and never got into a rhythm. Jack (Kennedy) very wisely eased up on him and saved him and we had a horse for Punchestown.

“He never really jumped a hurdle as well as he did fences.”

Asked for one horse whom he felt was his best chance in one of the Cheltenham handicaps, Elliott said: “Imagine in the Martin Pipe. If he runs, he will have a great chance.”

‘Fresh and well’ Conflated poised to make his mark in Gold Cup

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Gordon Elliott is confident Conflated is “in the mix” for the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup after deciding against bidding for back-to-back victories in Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown last weekend.

The nine-year-old was a surprise winner of the Dublin Racing Festival feature 12 months ago, but proved that was no fluke by running well before falling in the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham before pushing Clan Des Obeaux close in the Aintree Bowl.

Following a promising comeback run at Down Royal in the autumn, Conflated dominated Leopardstown’s Savills Chase over the Christmas period, but Elliott elected to keep his powder dry for the blue riband in the Cotswolds next month.

Speaking at a press event at his County Meath yard on Tuesday morning, the Cullentra handler admitted he was heartened to see Fury Road – third behind Conflated over the festive period – finish a similar distance behind Cheltenham Gold Cup favourite Galopin Des Champs when third again on Saturday.

“We decided not to run him in the Irish Gold Cup and he’ll go to Cheltenham fresh and well,” he said.

“I suppose the fact that Fury Road led over the last the other day would give me hope that Conflated could run a good race in Cheltenham.

“I probably ran him in the wrong race last year going for the Ryanair. The way he ran in Aintree last season and the way he ran in Leopardstown the last day, I think the Gold Cup will suit him.”

The Willie Mullins-trained Galopin Des Champs strengthened his position at the head of the Gold Cup market with an eight-length verdict at Leopardstown – and while not everyone was blown away by the performance, Elliott expects him to prove a tough nut to crack.

Gordon Elliott at his yard on Tuesday morning
Gordon Elliott at his yard on Tuesday morning (Niall Carson/PA)

He added: “Galopin Des Champs sets the standard and he’s the horse we all have to beat, but I think we’re in the mix.

“When you look at the re-run, I thought Galopin Des Champs was probably more impressive than when you watched it the first time. Paul (Townend) had him asleep and it probably took him a bit to wake him up, but he galloped from the last to the line well.

“I just worry about my own horse, but I wouldn’t mind having him!”

Conflated will be part of another formidable team Elliott is preparing to send to Prestbury Park in less than five weeks’ time, with his novice chasing squad particularly strong.

He houses the ante-post favourite for the three-mile Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase in Saturday’s Scilly Isles victor Gerri Colombe, while Mighty Potter is cramped odds for the Turners’ Novices’ Chase after bagging his fourth Grade One win at Leopardstown on Sunday.

Gerri Colombe parading
Gerri Colombe parading (Niall Carson/PA)

“Over two and a half miles softer ground would suit Gerri Colombe, but he’s not a mud lark and is not as slow as you’d think – he’s just so relaxed,” said Elliott.

“I’d say over three miles plus in the Brown Advisory he’ll be fine on better ground and I think the further he goes the better he’ll be.

“He’s a very unassuming horse who doesn’t do anything exciting at home, but he knows how to win.

“He’s so relaxed and I think the Brown Advisory is made for him.

“Mighty Potter is probably relaxing more with racing. He jumped great the other day and it was only when you watch the re-run of the race that you realise how good he was,” said Elliott.

“He’s an unassuming type of horse and it wouldn’t worry me to come back to two miles, but at the moment we’re going for the middle-distance race.

“Envoi Allen was the real thing and there was Samcro and Don Cossack. We’ve had a few nice novice chasers, but I’d say he could be bang up there.”

Teahupoo is a major hope for the Elliott team in the Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle after inflicting a first career defeat on Honeysuckle in the Hatton’s Grace at Fairyhouse before successfully stepping up to three miles in the Galmoy at Gowran.

The six-year-old was bitterly disappointing when quietly fancied for the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham last season, but Elliott is putting that performance down to the trip rather than the track.

Teahupoo is a leading contenders for the Stayers' Hurdle at Cheltenham
Teahupoo is a leading contenders for the Stayers’ Hurdle at Cheltenham (Niall Carson/PA)

He added: “I’d say he just got took off his feet over two miles last year. He’s not a big, heavy horse and I don’t see why over three miles he shouldn’t be OK.

“It’s not going to be quick ground and if you listen to likes of Barry Geraghty and Ruby Walsh over the years talking about Stayers’ Hurdle horses, they always say they have to race behind the bridle and be relaxed and that is exactly what Teahupoo is – nothing fazes him.”

While Conflated, Gerri Colombe, Mighty Potter and Teahupoo will all head to Cheltenham with solid claims, Elliott appears particularly confident about the chances of Delta Work, who is all set to defend his crown in the Glenfarclas Chase over the cross-country course.

The multiple Grade One winner played the role of pantomime villain last year when denying his dual Grand National and five-time Festival-winning stablemate Tiger Roll, but he will return 12 months on as a red-hot favourite after finishing third under a big weight at the track last month.

Gordon Elliott with Delta Work
Gordon Elliott with Delta Work (Niall Carson/PA)

“I won the race so I didn’t mind, but it would have been the perfect send-off for Tiger Roll to have won last year obviously. It wasn’t to be, but he got a great reception,” said Elliott.

“I was very happy with Delta Work’s run the other day. He was giving the winner and the second a lot of weight and off level weights, it looks like he’s thrown in.”

While Elliott is still finalising running plans for some members of a squad, a few of the pieces are beginning to fall into place.

He added: “Three Card Brag will probably go for the Albert Bartlett along with Favori De Champdou. Cool Survivor ran well the other day and he’ll probably go for the Martin Pipe or he could go for the Albert Bartlett as well.

“Absolute Notions might not be badly handicapped and he can probably go for a handicap more so than a Grade One.

“Unfortunately we couldn’t run American Mike in Leopardstown the other day. He scoped bad after Navan and there was something wrong with him, so we’ve missed a good part of the season.

“I was looking forward to running him the other day, but couldn’t due to personal reasons and it’s hard to find a race for him now.

“He’s entered in a Listed race over two miles at Navan on Sunday, which isn’t ideal, but I kind of need to get a run into him because he can be a fresh horse and I just want to knock the freshness off him.

“Better Days Ahead will go straight to Cheltenham for the Champion Bumper. I’d say the bumper horses in Ireland just mightn’t be as strong as they have been, but my horse is a good horse.

“King Of Kingsfield will run in it as well and Pour Les Filles who won in Leopardstown under Harry Swan, we’ll probably run the three of them.”

Conflated ‘more likely’ to go straight to Cheltenham for Gold Cup tilt

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Conflated is likely to head straight to the Cheltenham Gold Cup where he will be given the chance to become Gigginstown House Stud’s third winner of the blue riband.

The Gordon Elliott-trained nine-year-old announced himself as a player in the staying division when causing a shock in last year’s Irish Gold Cup but instead of taking part in the Friday feature when running at Prestbury Park a month later, he dropped back in trip for the Ryanair Chase where he was a late faller in pursuit of the winner Allaho.

Returned to staying trips he was second to Clan Des Obeaux in the Bowl at Aintree and built on his Down Royal reappearance behind Envoi Allen to once again rule the roost at Leopardstown when brushing aside Kemboy by five lengths in the Savills Chase over the Christmas period.

That looked to tee up a defence of his Irish Gold Cup crown at next month’s Dublin Racing Festival, and although set to be given the option of that Grade One contest, connections appear to be siding towards heading to the Cheltenham Festival fresh – where he is a best price of 14-1 with Sky Bet to taste Gold Cup success.

“We’re probably veering towards heading straight to Cheltenham,” said Eddie O’Leary, racing manager for owners Gigginstown House Stud.

“It will be down to Gordon, but I imagine we’ll be going straight there.

“He will get the entry for Leopardstown and we will see how he is. I imagine it is more likely we will go straight to Cheltenham than run at Leopardstown, but we will see what the ground and everything else is like and make a decision then.”

Leopardstown Christmas Festival – Day Three – Leopardstown Racecourse
Jockey Jack Kennedy celebrates with trainer Gordon Elliott and owner Michael O’Leary and his wife Anita Farrell after winning the Savills Chase on Conflated during day three of the Leopardstown Christmas Festival (Niall Carson/PA)

On his Cheltenham chances, O’Leary continued: “Is he good enough to win a Gold Cup? I do not know. Will he get the chance to prove it? He definitely will.

“I suppose it’s quite hard to believe it (he is good enough), like he won very well (in the Savills Chase) but is the second good enough to feature in a Gold Cup? You would doubt it.

“There’s a horse called Galopin Des Champs in the way, who looks to be very good.”

Conflated claims cosy Savills Chase success

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Conflated put himself firmly in the Cheltenham Gold Cup picture with a dominant success in the Savills Chase at Leopardstown.

The Gordon Elliott-trained eight-year-old was a surprise winner of the Irish Gold Cup over the course and distance last season and went on to run well before falling two from home in Cheltenham’s Ryanair Chase before pushing Clan Des Obeaux close in the Bowl at Aintree.

Expected to improve from his seasonal reappearance in the Champion Chase at Down Royal in October, in the absence of the withdrawn A Plus Tard Conflated was 2-1 favourite and ultimately outclassed his rivals.

Kemboy, winner of this race in 2018 and fourth, second and third in each of the past three years, adopted his customary pacesetting role under Paul Townend, but it was clear the soon to be 11-year-old was struggling to shake off the two years younger Conflated and Jack Kennedy allowed him to stride to the lead heading out onto the second circuit.

In truth the market leader bossed the contest from there home and Kennedy could even afford to begin celebrating on the run-in as he passed the post with five lengths in hand.

Kemboy ran another brave race to be placed once more in second, with the winner’s stablemate Fury Road coming from further back to pick up the bronze medal.

Paddy Power reacted by trimming Conflated’s Gold Cup odds to 14-1 from 33-1, while Coral offer the same price from 40s.

Elliott said: “It was unfortunate that A Plus Tard couldn’t run. The race worked out well and Jack gave him a beautiful ride.

“Paul steadied the pace down and Jack let him stride on. He said the faster this horse goes, the better he’ll be. I thought Jack was wonderful.

“He’s not an easy horse and he’s actually starting to settle now. He was very kinky and Jack said he wasn’t doing a stroke the whole way up the straight. He jumped perfect all the way.

“We don’t gallop him a whole lot and he just does his routine work each day. We left him very short in Down Royal and Jack was thrilled and said he’d come on an awful lot from it.

“I’d imagine he’ll come back here for the Irish Gold Cup but we’ll have to talk to Michael and Eddie (O’Leary) and make a plan.

“There was a lot of talk last season about which race he would go for in Cheltenham but he’ll definitely be going for the Gold Cup this year.”

Conflated with connections at Leopardstown
Conflated with connections at Leopardstown (Alan Magee/PA)

Kennedy, like Elliott completing a treble on the card, said: “Brilliant. The first couple of days have been kind of tough, but we’ve certainly made up for it today anyway.

“Paul slowed it up in front and this lad got a small bit lit up, so I let him on. He dropped it (bridle) again going down the back. He’d actually probably be better off a stronger gallop as well.

“It was a good performance and I’m delighted with him. He’s a brilliant jumper, even short he is able to get up.

“He is a good horse and probably a small bit quirky, but I suppose the penny is after dropping with him and he’s a lot more straightforward now. He was very straightforward today.”