Romeo Coolio was made to fight for victory in the Goffs Irish Arkle Novice Chase 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.
Doctor Steinberg maintained his perfect record over hurdles with a comprehensive victory in the Nathaniel Lacy & Partners Solicitors Novice Hurdle.
Jack Kennedy, Gordon Elliott and the winning connection react to Romeo Coolio’s ‘gutsy’ victory in the Goffs Irish Arkle@LeopardstownRC #DublinRacingFestival #rtesport
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— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) February 2, 2026
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% record in Grade Ones which is fantastic.
In a thrilling finish to the Race and Stay at Leopardstown Handicap Hurdle Niall Moore got Phillip Fenton’s Saint Le Fort (10-1) up on the line to deny Savante @LeopardstownRC #DublinRacingFestival #rtesport
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— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) February 2, 2026
“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.”