Friday’s Racing Tips – Conflated can show his class at Cheltenham

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Rizzel's sole selection on Thursday was a winning one, with Bread and Butter winning at a slightly drifted price of 5/2.

I never caught the race, but Rizz did mention that the ride on his selection was very nearly a butcher job. However, the horse came out on top, and that's all that matters.

There is some good racing at Cheltenham on Friday and that is where I've gone hunting for a winning selection.

Cairnzy's Tips

Conflated 3/1 – Cheltenham 2.55

For my first selection on Friday I'm sticking with the Gordon Elliot trained Conflated, who I tipped up eachway on the thread in the past when finishing second behind Jonbon at Aintree in the Grade One Melling Chase.

I see the argument surrounding Conflated being a risky selection, he hasn't exactly set the world alight since returning to the track in October. My selection under seated jockey Jack Kennedy at Punchestown in his seasonal reappearance and failed to fire next time out when finishing fifth of six in the Charlie Hall at Wetherby two weeks ago.

Conflated is by far the class act in this field and brings excellent chase form to this contest. He finished third in last season's Ryanair and was just a length and a half behind Gerri Colombe in the Ladbrokes Champion Chase at Down Royal last year.

Conflated must concede top weight in his cross-country debut, which poses a significant challenge for Elliot's charge. Furthermore, there are question marks about Conflated's ability to handle the new distance, as he has yet to race over it in his career. However, if he adapts well to the new trip, which I believe he will, his class should allow him to prevail in this field. Jockey Rob James takes the ride on Conflated and claims a valuable 7lb.

I think the main danger would have to be Mister Coffey who has plenty of stamina on his side. Mister Coffey notably carries a whopping 19lb less than my selection which makes him the biggest threat to my selection in my opinion.

Hyland 5/2 – Cheltenham 1:45

I'm sick of the sight of Nico de Boinville if I'm honest, it seems when I back him he beats me and when I back against him he wins. Similar story on the flat with me when it comes to Hollie Doyle, but that's a story for another day.

I'll draw a blind eye to the above and take a chance on Hyland who I think has a great chance of upsetting the current market favourite Springwell Bay.

The Listed extended 3m Novices' Chase may only have four runners, but it's a competitive-looking field nonetheless. The hype surrounding Jonjo O'Neill's Springwell Bay is understandable – he has all the makings of a top-class chaser and was mightily impressive when dispatching his rivals on his seasonal reappearance at Chepstow in October. However, the form of that race is questionable, as the second-placed Insurrection was soundly beaten next time out by Boombawn, who had finished third behind Insurrection in the Chepstow contest won by Springwell Bay.

Buddy One is also an interesting runner, he was a losing selection for me on the thread recently when finishing tailed off at Wexford with his jumping letting him down on debut over the fences. Buddy One is the highest rated of these over hurdles, which of course is a different ball game but if gets his act together over fences then he would be a massive threat to his rivals.

I think at the prices Hyland looks a good bet. My selection returned from 118 days off the track to hack up by 15L over this same C&D. Course form is always important in my opinion and that recent victory made him 2 from 2 on the old track and notably both came on good ground which is forecast for tomorrows meeting. Hyland tends to jump well during his races and if reproduces a similar performance here with conditions to suit then he could be tough to beat.

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