Michael O'Leary is “leaning towards” the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham with Irish Gold Cup winner Conflated.
The Gordon Elliott-trained eight-year-old can be backed at 10-1 for both the Ryanair Chase and the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup after his 18-1 victory in the three-mile Grade 1 at Leopardstown 15 days ago.
But concerns over Conflated’s stamina for the extended three-mile, two-furlong Gold Cup trip could see the son of Yeats take in Thursday’s Ryanair Chase over an extended two and a half miles – the race sponsored by his owner – in preference to chasing’s blue riband the following day.
“I would be leaning towards the Ryanair,” said O’Leary’s brother and racing manager Eddie.
“It looked like he would stay all day at Leopardstown, but there is a big difference between three miles at Leopardstown and three miles two and a half at Cheltenham.
“The Ryanair is probably a bit sharp for him, but at least it wouldn’t tear the hell out of him."
Conflated burst onto the Cheltenham scene with his shock success on February 5.
Elliott had persuaded the horse's owners to allow him to take his chance that day in the Irish Gold Cup and racegoers were stunned when he galloped away under Davy Russell to beat last year's Cheltenham Gold Cup hero Minella Indo, Janadil, Frodon and Asterion Forlonge.
Conflated is joint fifth in the betting for the Cheltenham Gold Cup on March 18 at around 10-1 behind A Plus Tard, Galvin, Minella Indo and Protektorat.
He is also 10-1 for the Ryanair for which Allaho is the hot favourite at a best-priced even money.
