Davy Russell set to ride Conflated in Ryanair as connections eye up Allaho

Gigginstown boss Eddie O'Leary and trainer Gordon Elliott have revealed Conflated is far more likely to tackle the Ryanair Chase than the Gold Cup at Cheltenham next week.

O'Leary confirmed Davy Russell, who partnered Conflated to his biggest success when landing the Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown last month, will keep the ride.

The news opens up the possibility of Jack Kennedy being reunited with the defending Gold Cup champion Minella Indo at Cheltenham.

Confirming plans for Conflated, O'Leary said: "We're veering towards the Ryanair. Davy is likely to ride him again as he got on great with him at Leopardstown."

He added: "Allaho is a very good horse but he will certainly give us the lead that we want, as did Bryony Frost [aboard Frodon] in the Irish Gold Cup, but whether we'll be good enough to pass him is the question.

"It looks as though there could be only four or five runners in the race and hopefully he goes there with a good chance."

Russell will partner Elliott's Galvin in the Gold Cup and if Conflated, who Kennedy was in line to ride in the feature event of the week, is rerouted to the Ryanair, that will leave the Kerry native available for connections of Minella Indo.

Robbie Power partnered Barry Maloney's star staying chaser to finish a creditable second behind Conflated in the Irish Gold Cup and, while de Bromhead described that rider as "highly likely" to keep the ride for Cheltenham when interviewed two weeks ago, he also suggested plans could change if Kennedy became available.

Speaking a fortnight back, De Bromhead said: "It's highly likely Robbie will ride him [in the Gold Cup]. If Jack suddenly became available I suppose there would be a chance he could ride, but it looks like Robbie is in pole position. I thought Robbie got on really well with Indo at Leopardstown and I was thrilled with the way it went."

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Elliott backed O'Leary's call on Thursday and said: "It looks as though we are leaning towards the Ryanair. Hopefully he goes there with a good chance."

Ginto has also been confirmed for the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle by Elliott. The trainer, who was forced to rule Albert Bartlett fancy Minella Crooner out of Cheltenham due to a setback, revealed that, after meeting with Ginto's owners Noel and Valerie Moran on Thursday afternoon, a decision has been taken to tackle the three-mile contest instead of the Ballymore.

Elliott said: "I met with Noel and Valerie today [Thursday] and we're going to go for the Albert Bartlett with Ginto. He's a Grade 1 winner and, looking at the Albert Bartlett, I think the race will suit him and he'll go there with a chance. It was disappointing having to rule out Minella Crooner for the race but he should be back for the spring festivals. We're hoping Ginto can represent us well in the Albert Bartlett now."

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