Ryanair Chase Tips: Conflated to pick up the pieces

The second of three Grade 1 races on Thursday at the Cheltenham Festival is the Ryanair Chase, which is due off at 14:50.

Last year's hero and the 2023 Turners winner are just a couple of the 11 intended runners, but it's two a little further down the market that feature in my Ryanair Chase tips.

I think this is a cracking renewal of the Ryanair Chase. As I wrote in the intro, it includes defending champion Envoi Allen and Stage Star, who won Thursday's opener last year, as well as the likes of Banbridge, Capodanno, Protektorat, Ahoy Senor, Fil Dor, etc...

Honestly, any of the 11 runners could win and I wouldn't be at all shocked, but there is two that most interest me - starting with Gordon Elliott's CONFLATED, who I suggested antepost at 12/1 just over a month ago.

It looks like there's going to be plenty of pace in this. I'd imagine Ahoy Senor, Protektorat and Stage Star will all want to be prominent, if not making the running, and there could easily be a burn-up in front.

That could set things up for a strong stayer at the trip like Conflated, who's likely to be ridden with patience by Jack Kennedy.

He's done all his running this term over three miles, performing respectably behind Gold Cup hopefuls Gerri Colombe and the champ Galopin Des Champs the last twice.

Most recently, he was very much holding his own when unseating at the last in the Irish Gold Cup won by the latter, with Fastorslow in second. I think he'd have finished third, in front of Irish Grand National hero I Am Maximus who has since bolted up in Grade 3 company.

As the 1-2 are 170+ horses and the top two in the betting for the Gold Cup, that rates extremely strong form in the context of this race.

If the race plays out how I envisage, and there's a bit of a pace collapse, I can't imagine there will be many coming home stronger than the selection.

Another who would love a testing affair is FUGITIF for Richard Hobson.

The nine-year-old put in a career-best performance when landing the December Gold Cup Handicap Chase over course and distance, coming from all the way out the back to get up in the final strides.

That running style will be perfect if there is as much pace on offer as I am suggesting, and he's well worth an each-way play at a big price.