Dublin Racing Festival: Romeo Coolio denies Kargese in thrilling Irish Arkle at Leopardstown
Gordon Elliott's Romeo Coolio continued his journey to the Arkle Chase at Cheltenham by seeing off Kargese in the Irish equivalent at the Dublin Racing Festival; also on the card, Narciso Has strengthened his Triumph Hurdle credentials with Grade 1 success at Leopardstown
Monday 2 February 2026 15:52, UK
Romeo Coolio had too much for the gallant Kargese in a rollercoaster 2026 edition of the Irish Arkle at Leopardstown.
Gordon Elliott's 4-9 favourite was one of only three horses in the two-mile-one-furlong Grade One event, with the outsider Downmexicoway detached from an early stage.
It was effectively a match between the market leader and the Willie Mullins-trained mare Kargese, with Romeo Coolio eventually getting on top in the hands of Jack Kennedy, only for Kargese to rally under Paul Townend and close right to the line, which in her case came half a length too soon.
"They went a good gallop, the pedal never came off. They went very fast," said Elliott.
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"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 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."
Romeo Coolio was eased to 5-1 from 7-2 for the Arkle at Cheltenham, and of future plans Elliott added: "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."
Dave Rabson, of owners KDTA racing, added: "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 told RTE2: "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."
Narciso Has dominates for Grade One honours
Narciso Has took the next step in his promising early career with victory in the Gannon's City Recovery & Recycling Services Juvenile Hurdle.
The Willie Mullins-trained four-year-old was ridden by Mark Walsh for owner JP McManus as the even-money favourite and was always positioned to the fore in the two-mile Grade One.
As the field neared the closing stages he pulled into a considerable lead and was in no danger of being caught, securing a four-and-a-half-length win from stablemate Selma De Vary.
"It was a very nice performance, he did it the hard way from the front," said Mullins.
"He settles lovely in front, jumps well in front and has enough for a kick at the end.
"He's mature as well and looking at him I think he's going to make into a nice chaser. He's a fine, big specimen of a horse.
"I liked him from the first day that he came in. He was very green the first day that he ran, but he's learning all the time.
"He had his two ears pricked going down the back the whole way. He seemed well within himself and well able to handle himself."
Bookmakers make Narciso Has their 7-4 favourite for the Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham in March, with Selma De Vary halved in price to around 7-1 for the same race. Of the runner-up, Mullins said: "She missed a lot of time and I think she'll improve a good bit for that run.
"She was a little bit green going to the last. Paul brought her wide, he didn't want to get involved with the others.
"I think she's a filly that has a big future. She looked quite hot and we rode her out the back for that reason. I'm not sure whether Flat racing would enhance her ability at all. We'll see, we'll get through the season first.
"She looks like one for the Triumph as well and then possibly back to Punchestown. We could also go to the race in Fairyhouse, we'll see."
Doctor Steinberg far too good
Doctor Steinberg maintained his perfect record over hurdles with a comprehensive victory in the Nathaniel Lacy & Partners Solicitors Novice Hurdle.
Hot on the heels of wins at Galway and Navan, where he accounted for subsequent Grade Two winner Thedeviluno, the Willie Mullins-trained Doctor Dino gelding again demonstrated his liking for obstacles when galloping home eight lengths clear in the hands of Paul Townend.
Yeshil made the early running, but the 7-4 favourite took up the running two out and quickly put the race to bed, with Kazansky staying on for second.
"It was very impressive on that ground, it's very tough," said Mullins. "Every time we've gone up in trip he seems to like it. He's out of a Cyborg mare and that's all stamina.
"I think we bought two off Walter [Connors] that year, Kopek Des Bordes and this fella, so it's a 100 per cent record in Grade Ones which is fantastic.
"It was probably going to the last the first time before he relaxed. There was a horse up his backside everywhere he went and he was very free, but he kept galloping. The fact that could pull like that and still be galloping at the end of two-miles-six on very tough ground.
"We thought he was a summer horse first so he goes on all sorts of ground, but he seems to be better when he has tougher conditions."
Doctor Steinberg shortened to 2-1 favourite for the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle over three miles at the Cheltenham Festival and Mullins added: "He does everything right."
