Goffs Irish Arkle Novice Chase
Grade 1, Leopardstown 14:55
€150,000 guaranteed
5yo plus,
2m 1f, Class 1  
Monday 2nd February 2026

BetPlay

1 Romeo Coolio 4/9F
2 Kargese 2/1
3 Downmexicoway 22/1
3 ran Distances: nk, 23l
Time: 4m 22.40s (slow by 17.40s)

Romeo Coolio had to dig deep to maintain his unbeaten record over fences as he was forced into a proper scrap.

Sent off the 4-9 favourite for Gordon Elliott, the race quickly became a contest of resolve rather than numbers. Only three runners went to post for the Grade One over two miles and a furlong, and with outsider Downmexicoway detached almost from the outset, it developed into a tactical duel between Romeo Coolio and the Willie Mullins-trained mare Kargese.

Jack Kennedy was content to let the race unfold at a searching tempo, the pair stretching each other from an early stage as the pressure was applied throughout. Romeo Coolio edged into the ascendancy approaching the business end, but the contest was far from over. Under a determined ride from Paul Townend, Kargese rallied bravely after the last, closing with every stride, though the line came just in time for the favourite, who prevailed by half a length.

“They went a good gallop, the pedal never came off. They went very fast,” said Elliott.

“Our lad needs every bit of the trip, he was flat out. The mare had us at it. He made a few mistakes, but he’s very gutsy and he he digs deep. He pulled up when he got to the front then and I was glad the line came when it did.

“It’ll be interesting to see what Jack says. I’d say Jack maybe idled a bit as well, he thought he was home and hosed. He should have kept going, but thankfully we held on.

“They are great lads and big supporters of Cullentra. This horse was bought to be a stayer, we’re hoping he’ll go the whole way.”

Despite the narrow margin, the victory carried further significance, marking Romeo Coolio’s third Grade One success and underlining both his stamina and determination. The performance prompted an immediate reaction in the markets, with Coral easing him to 5-1 from 7-2 for the Arkle at Cheltenham.

Looking ahead, Elliott suggested his future may not be confined to the minimum trip. “I wouldn’t be shocked to see him stepping out in trip now. He has three Grade Ones won now so everything else is a bonus. The lads are from the UK so they are very keen to have a runner in Cheltenham.

“He’ll be in both races (the Arkle and Brown Advisory) and we’ll make our mind up at the time which is the right race to go for.”

From the ownership perspective, the emphasis was firmly on the horse’s courage and consistency at the top level. Dave Rabson, representing KDTA Racing, said: “He’s shown his bottle again. If you look at the two races, here and at Christmas, just after the second-last you’re going ‘we’re in a bit of trouble here’ and then he shows you what he’s got.

“Three Grade Ones this year, he’s a proper horse now. This is what we bought him for, to go over proper fences, for big days, for Grade Ones and the boss has given us three. He’s probably even par for this year with me!

“We’ll sit down. Dave (Page), Mouse (O’Ryan) and myself will give our opinions and then Gordon will tell us what we’re doing!”

Kennedy, speaking to RTE2, offered an honest assessment from the saddle. “We went a very strong gallop. My lad’s jumping was unbelievable until the ditch down the back and he just made two little mistakes then. I was on the back foot really the whole way from there. I suppose his stamina kicked in down to the last and he probably got a bit lonely in front. To be fair to the mare, she was good and hardy to get back at him.

“He does (have the heart of a lion), he is very tough.”

In the end, it was resolve rather than brilliance that carried the day, but as Cheltenham looms ever closer, Romeo Coolio once again demonstrated that when the pressure is highest, he is more than willing to fight all the way to the line.

BoyleSports

Arkle Novice Chase
(Grade 1) 2m 1f, €150,000 guaranteed
3 ran
Going: Soft

POS. DIST HORSE AGE WGT TRAINER JOCKEY SP
1    Romeo Coolio 7 11-12 Gordon Elliott Jack Kennedy 4/9F
2 nk Kargese 6 11-5 W P Mullins Paul Townend 2/1
3 23 Downmexicoway 7 11-12 Henry De Bromhead Darragh O'Keeffe 22/1