14:55 Leopardstown (IRE) 31 Jan 2026
Goffs Irish Arkle Novice Chase
Grade 1 | Class 1 | 5YO plus
Winner €90,000 - 3 run
Hurdle: heavy; chase: soft to heavy (inspection 8am)
Draw Advantage: None
Forecast: Light rain
Temperature: 5.1° - 8.4°
Rainfall: 0.63mm
Wind: 8.1 mph SW
Last Update: 30/01/2026 17:00x
Bookies best price percentage = 102.76% | Standard bookmaker terms: Win only
AT THE RACES is not liable for any services or information offered or provided by its bookmaker partners. Please note: Whilst every effort is made to ensure odds and information are up to date and correct, differences between these and actual odds/information available from bookmakers at time of placing a bet may occur.
The yard has won two of the last ten renewals of this race. Improved again when dropping in trip last time, going away at the finish to win a handicap chase at Gowran Park by 3l. Effective at 2–2 1/2m and progressing over fences, with a slightly longer trip expected to suit but looks out of depth here.
He has won a hurdle race, two chases and a point-to-point from 2m to 3m on good - yielding and heavy ground. Won on his latest outing in a chase when 5-2fav at Gowran Park over 2m (heavy) in November last year, beating Drumgill by 3l.
The yard has won two of the last ten renewals of this race. Improved again when dropping in trip last time, going away at the finish to win a handicap chase at Gowran Park by 3l. Effective at 2–2 1/2m and progressing over fences, with a slightly longer trip expected to suit but looks out of depth here.
| Race Record | Runs | Wins | Places | Win Rate | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All Jumps Races | 9 | 3 | 3 | 33.3% | |
| Chase | 3 | 2 | 1 | 66.7% | |
| Conditions | |||||
| Course and Distance | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Course | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| D | Distance | 2 | 2 | 0 | 100% |
| G | Similar Going | 2 | 1 | 1 | 50% |
| Headgear | |||||
| Today (No Headgear) | 11 | 4 | 3 | 36.4% | |
| Class & Handicap Rating | |||||
| Cl | Class 1 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0% |
| This Handicap (OR) or Higher | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Connections | |||||
| J | Darragh O'Keeffe | 7 | 2 | 2 | 28.6% |
| T | H De Bromhead | 9 | 3 | 3 | 33.3% |
-
Grey = Horse has placed form
-
Blue = Horse has winning form
-
Gold = Horse has a 50% or better win record
Won the Racing Post Novice Chase (Grade 1) here last time, prevailing by 1/2l needing every yard. Effective at 2–2 1/2m and suited by decent ground. A top-class novice chaser and leading contender for the spring festivals, though he may ideally want a slight step back up in trip. The one to beat if getting a stiff test.
Winner of two hurdle races, a NH flat race, three chases and a point-to-point from 2m to 3m on ground varying from good - yielding to yielding - soft. Won on his latest outing in a Grade 1 chase when 8-15fav over this course and distance (yielding) in December last year, beating Irish Panther by 1/2l.
Won the Racing Post Novice Chase (Grade 1) here last time, prevailing by 1/2l needing every yard. Effective at 2–2 1/2m and suited by decent ground. A top-class novice chaser and leading contender for the spring festivals, though he may ideally want a slight step back up in trip. The one to beat if getting a stiff test.
| Race Record | Runs | Wins | Places | Win Rate | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All Jumps Races | 8 | 5 | 3 | 62.5% | |
| Chase | 3 | 3 | 0 | 100% | |
| Conditions | |||||
| CD | Course and Distance | 1 | 1 | 0 | 100% |
| C | Course | 2 | 2 | 0 | 100% |
| D | Distance | 3 | 2 | 0 | 66.7% |
| G | Similar Going | 2 | 1 | 1 | 50% |
| Headgear | |||||
| Today (No Headgear) | 11 | 6 | 4 | 54.6% | |
| Class & Handicap Rating | |||||
| Cl | Class 1 | 8 | 3 | 4 | 37.5% |
| This Handicap (OR) or Higher | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Connections | |||||
| J | Jack Kennedy | 4 | 3 | 1 | 75% |
| T | G Elliott | 11 | 6 | 4 | 54.6% |
-
Grey = Horse has placed form
-
Blue = Horse has winning form
-
Gold = Horse has a 50% or better win record
A winner of three Grade 1s over hurdles, with the yard having landed the last three runnings of this race. Scored readily when winning a beginners chase here by 14l last time though main rival did fall. The trainer is in form and, an effective 2m performer, she is a classy hurdler with more to come over fences.
Winner of five hurdle races and a chase from 1m 7f to 2m 1f on ground varying from good to soft to heavy. Won on her latest outing in a chase when 10-11fav over this course and distance (yielding) in December last year, beating Lovely Hurling by 14l.
A winner of three Grade 1s over hurdles, with the yard having landed the last three runnings of this race. Scored readily when winning a beginners chase here by 14l last time though main rival did fall. The trainer is in form and, an effective 2m performer, she is a classy hurdler with more to come over fences.
| Race Record | Runs | Wins | Places | Win Rate | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All Jumps Races | 13 | 6 | 6 | 46.2% | |
| Chase | 2 | 1 | 1 | 50% | |
| Conditions | |||||
| CD | Course and Distance | 1 | 1 | 0 | 100% |
| C | Course | 3 | 2 | 1 | 66.7% |
| D | Distance | 6 | 3 | 3 | 50% |
| G | Similar Going | 8 | 4 | 4 | 50% |
| Headgear | |||||
| HG | Today (H only) | 10 | 4 | 5 | 40% |
| Class & Handicap Rating | |||||
| Cl | Class 1 | 9 | 3 | 5 | 33.3% |
| This Handicap (OR) or Higher | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Connections | |||||
| J | Paul Townend | 6 | 3 | 3 | 50% |
| T | W P Mullins | 10 | 4 | 5 | 40% |
-
Grey = Horse has placed form
-
Blue = Horse has winning form
-
Gold = Horse has a 50% or better win record
Verdict
This appears to be a bit of a penalty kick now for ROMEO COOLIO after the defection of Kopek Des Bordes. Gordon Elliott's charge is three from three over fences and has already struck twice at the top level. He needed every yard of this trip to overhaul Irish Panther here at Christmas and more testing conditions should bring his stamina into play. Dual Grade 1-winning hurdler Kargese is the obvious danger. She was well held on her chase debut in Cork but opened her account in fine style here at Christmas. Downmexicoway is a nice horse in his own right but needs to improve to trouble the front pair.
Expert View Verdict
A slightly disappointing field but ROMEO COOLIO is already proven at this level so should be tough to beat. Admittedly he needed every yard over C&D over the festive period but the testing ground should put an emphasis on stamina and his rivals should ensure a decent gallop. Kargese was an impressive winner at a much lower level last time but the race did fall apart slightly with her main rival falling. She was defeated by a useful performer on debut previously but her strong hurdles form which includes a County Hurdle victory suggests she should have more to offer in this sphere. She looks the sole danger with progressive handicapper Downmexicoway out of his depth.
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Previous Winners
| Year | Going | Ran | Winner | Draw | Age | Weight | OR | Form | Last run | Trainer (Distance) | Jockey | SP | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Yielding | 6 | Majborough | 5 | 11 10 | - | 131-1 | 49 days | W P Mullins (56 miles) | Mark Walsh | 8/ 11 | 4:11.50 | |
| 2024 | Yielding - Soft | 6 | Il Etait Temps | 6 | 11 12 | - | 2152-12 | 37 days | W P Mullins (56 miles) | Danny Mullins | 6/ 1 | 4:20.30 | |
| 2023 | Yielding | 8 | El Fabiolo | 6 | 11 12 | - | 7312-11 | 45 days | W P Mullins (56 miles) | Daryl Jacob | 9/ 2 | 4:08.00 | |
| 2022 | Yielding | 6 | Blue Lord | 7 | 11 12 | - | 23F-311 | 34 days | W P Mullins (56 miles) | Paul Townend | 5/ 2 | 4:18.20 | |
| 2021 | Soft | 9 | Energumene | 7 | 11 12 | - | 1311-11 | 24 days | W P Mullins (56 miles) | Paul Townend | 5/ 6 | 4:23.50 | |
| 2020 | Yielding | 6 | Notebook | 7 | 11 10 | - | 20-2111 | 37 days | H De Bromhead (105 miles) | Rachael Blackmore | 5/ 4 | 4:15.00 | |
| 2019 | Good | 6 | Le Richebourg | 6 | 11 10 | - | 0-51121 | 38 days | J P O'Brien (76 miles) | Mark Walsh | 11/ 10 | 4:00.90 | |
| 2018 | Soft | 5 | Footpad | 6 | 11 10 | - | 4243-11 | 39 days | W P Mullins (56 miles) | Paul Townend | 4/ 9 | 4:13.90 | |
| 2017 | Good | 4 | Some Plan | 9 | 11 12 | - | 04-01F1 | 21 days | H De Bromhead (105 miles) | Davy Russell | 10/ 3 | 4:05.50 | |
| 2016 | Soft | 3 | Douvan | 6 | 11 12 | - | 111-111 | 29 days | W P Mullins (56 miles) | Ruby Walsh | 1/ 14 | 4:17.90 | |
| 2015 | Yielding - Soft | 3 | Un De Sceaux | 7 | 11 12 | - | 1111-F1 | 36 days | W P Mullins (56 miles) | Ruby Walsh | 8/ 11 | 4:11.80 | |
| 2014 | Heavy | 7 | Trifolium | 7 | 11 12 | - | 224-122 | 31 days | C Byrnes (129 miles) | Bryan Cooper | 7/ 1 | 4:15.60 | |
| 2013 | Heavy | 3 | Benefficient | 7 | 11 12 | - | 07-2124 | 31 days | A J Martin (70 miles) | Bryan Cooper | 10/ 1 | 4:32.10 | |
| 2012 | Soft | 7 | Flemenstar | 7 | 11 12 | - | 41-4211 | 21 days | P Casey (70 miles) | A Lynch | 6/ 4 | 4:22.30 | |
| 2011 | Soft | 6 | Realt Dubh | 7 | 11 12 | - | 3-1F121 | 24 days | N Meade (70 miles) | Paul Carberry | 5/ 2 | 4:14.80 | |
| 2010 | Heavy | 7 | An Cathaoir Mor | 7 | 11 12 | - | 1-40231 | 7 days | H De Bromhead (105 miles) | D J Casey | 7/ 1 | 4:28.60 | |
| 2009 | Heavy | 4 | Golden Silver | 7 | 11 12 | - | 770-241 | 36 days | W P Mullins (56 miles) | Paul Townend | 9/ 1 | 4:36.10 | |
| 2008 | Soft | 7 | Thyne Again | 7 | 11 12 | - | 5113-7D | 21 days | W J Burke (161 miles) | Davy Russell | 13/ 8 | 4:22.50 | |
| 2007 | Soft | 7 | Schindlers Hunt | 7 | 11 12 | - | 31-5121 | 33 days | D T Hughes (38 miles) | R Loughran | 8/ 13 | 4:26.00 | |
| 2006 | Good to Soft | 7 | Missed That | 7 | 11 12 | - | 11-4311 | 34 days | W P Mullins (56 miles) | D J Casey | 3/ 1 | 4:16.80 |
Race Favourite Stats
| Year | Favourite Finish Position | Winner Market Position |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 1 |
| 2024 | 5 | 3 |
| 2023 | 3 | 2 |
| 2022 | 2 | 2 |
| 2021 | 1 | 1 |
| 2020 | 1 | 1 |
| 2019 | 1 | 1 |
| 2018 | 1 | 1 |
| 2017 | DNF | 3 |
| 2016 | 1 | 1 |
Race Record
| Distance | Record Time |
|---|---|
| 2m 1f | 4:00.80 |