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Conflated is likely to head for the Ryanair Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, following a last-fence unseat in the Irish Gold Cup on Saturday.
Owned by Gigginstown Stud, the Gordon Elliott-trained gelding was producing a bigger effort than his 20/1 price would have predicted when unseating Jack Kennedy at the final fence. It was a carbon copy of the mistake that the ten-year-old gelding made when unseating Sam Ewing in the Grade 1 Savills Chase over the same course and distance at Christmas.
Although Conflated finished third in the Cheltenham Gold Cup behind Galopin Des Champs last March, connections had been looking at different options for this year's Festival – either the Ryanair Chase (sponsored by owners) or the cross-country chase.
"He gave Jack the same unseat as he gave Sam Ewing at Christmas (in the Savills Chase). It was the same corner of the same fence," said owner Eddie O'Leary.
"He was running a huge race regardless and we had just dropped in behind in that moment.
"It will be more than likely be the Ryanair (next, at Cheltenham) – he's still in the mix for both, but it will more than likely be the Ryanair.
"We believe he is a quick three-miler who might not get an extended three miles on a staying track in heavy ground, but he's a quick three-miler and the Ryanair should suit him down to the ground.
"You have to get three miles to win a Ryanair so hopefully that will be the race. Otherwise we have the Cross Country. But I would say it would be the Ryanair."