The eight-year-old had been easy to back at prices as big as 50-1 for the Irish Gold Cup on Saturday morning but was the subject of significant interest, eventually returning an SP of 18-1.
Whether he turns up for the Gold Cup remains to be seen, though Elliott hinted afterwards that a tilt at the big one is probably what owners Michael and Eddie O'Leary of Gigginstown Stud would want to do. He received post-races quotes as short as 10-1 for the blue riband after this effort.
"Hopefully Michael (O'Leary) will be watching. He's at the rugby and he'll enjoy it," Elliott told Racing TV.
"He has a big engine but he's quirky. He's (entered) in everything, so we'll see how he is after today.

He got in a lovely rhythm. After a mile I said wherever he finishes there'll be no excuse today.

"I thought he (Davy Russell) sent him on a bit early but Davy, you can't second guess him. He gave him a brilliant ride. Very happy.
"If you know me you know I like winning. It's a great place to be here and to have the crowd back and to win a Grade 1 today. The Grade 1. I've got a great team behind me."
Taken along by Frodon, who has company from previous winner Kemboy, Russell was content to track the pair from close-up in third place for much of the way.
With the exception of the departure of Cilaos Emery, the field jumped well as a collective, but as they moved down the side of the course towards the second-last, Russell prepared his assault on Conflated.

Conflated and Davy Russell on their way to winning the Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown

On touching down after that fence, the Gigginstown runner was eased to the front by Russell, who gave him the office to pull clear, leave the other half dozen flat footed.
With Frodon quickly crying enough and Kemboy unable to pick up for Paul Townend, only Cheltenham Gold Cup hero Minella Indo had anything significant to offer in response.
However, although he was staying on as they approached the final fence, Conflated jumped it well enough and was kept up to his work up the run-in, to have six-and-a-half lengths to spare over the Henry de Bromhead-trained runner and Robbie Power at the post.
After struggling in the King George VI Chase on Boxing Day, despite his defeat, this marked a return to better form by Minella Indo, whose supporters can content themselves that he is well suited to Cheltenham, with the defence of his Gold Cup in mind.