Conflated

Strange to be noting a horse who got no further than the third fence, as was the case with Conflated in the Kerry National at Listowel on Wednesday, but there could still be a good handicap chase in the Gigginstown House horse off his mark of 145.

It was significant that Jack Kennedy chose to ride Conflated, in front of three other Gordon Elliott-trained runners in the race. None of his stable companions went close, but The Big Lense fell early in the race, and badly hampered Aramax, while Farclas was travelling well when he unseated his rider at the third last fence. Conflated hadn’t been foot perfect over the first two fences either, but he was good when he beat Opposites Attract and The Big Getaway in his beginners’ chase at Navan last December over two and a half miles, and he was safe in the main when he won a Grade 3 novices’ chase at Naas last March, also over two and a half miles, when he shaped as if he would do even better when stepped up to three miles.

A chase mark of 145 is 7lb higher than his hurdles mark, but he is only seven and he has the potential to go beyond that mark in staying handicap chases this season. The Troytown Chase back at Navan, where he won his beginners’ chase, in November could be a good early-season target for him.
Listowel, 22^nd September 2021