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Conflated to be aimed at Aintree Bowl instead of 2023 Grand National
After finishing second in the 2022 Aintree Bowl and third in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, Conflated will be going all-out for silverware in the 2023 renewal of the former contest.
Taking part in the Cheltenham showpiece for the very first time, the Gordon Elliott horse ran a blinder under the guidance of Sam Ewing, still very much in the mix two from home and giving way to Bravemansgame and Galopin Des Champs in the final stages of the contest.
The Savills Chase and Irish Gold Cup hero holds an entry for the Grand National next month, Elliott making it clear that he would be more than happy to have a crack at the steeplechase with what he reckons is one of the best handicapped contenders in the race.
Nevertheless, Gigginstown House Stud have decided instead to swerve a tilt at the Grand National in favour of aiming him once again at the three-mile Grade One chase on Day One of the three-day Aintree meeting, a race in which Conflated came in second by a length to Clan Des Obeaux in the 2022 renewal.
When asked whether there was a chance of Conflated appearing in this year’s Grand National, Gigginstown racing manager Eddie O’Leary said:
“I would say maybe next year and this year all being well he will go back to Aintree for the Bowl.
“I know Gordon says he’s well handicapped and he may well be, but if he goes back to the Bowl, hopefully we won’t meet the Gold cup first or second there. He’s better going left-handed so we would rather go to Aintree than Punchestown.”
