DUBLIN RACING FESTIVAL: Romeo Coolio defies Irish Arkele Karges in thrilling Irish race at Leopardstown | Racing news

Romeo Coolio was too much for the brave Curges in the 2026 edition of the Irish Arkle at Leopardstown.

Gordon Elliott’s 4-9 favourite was one of only three horses in the two-mile-a-furlong Grade One event, where outsider Downmexicoway was isolated from the early stages.

The race effectively became a match between the market leader, Romeo Coolio, and the Willie Mullins-trained mare, Curges. Romeo Coolio eventually took the lead with Jack Kennedy riding, but Curges rallied under Paul Townend and closed in at the finish, which came half a length too early for him.

“They ran well; the pedals never fell off. They went very fast,” said Elliott.

“We needed every bit of the lad’s trip, he was flat. The horse was with us. He made a few mistakes, but he’s very brave and he digs deep. He pulled up when he got to the front and I was thrilled when the line came.

“It will be fascinating to see what Jack says. I’d say Jack might have been a bit lazy; he thought he was home and hosed. He should have gone, but luckily we held on.

“They are great sons and big supporters of Culantra. This horse was bought to stay; we expect him to go all the way.”

Romeo Coolio was moved from 7-2 to 5-1 for Cheltenham’s Arkle and on future plans.

Elliott added: “I wouldn’t be shocked to see him go out on the trip now.” He’s won three Grade Ones now, so everything else is a bonus. The lads are from the UK so they’re very keen to run Cheltenham.

“He’ll be in both races (Arkell and Brown advisory) and we’ll make up our minds at that point, which is the right race to go for.”

KDTA Racing owner Dave Rabson added: “He’s shown his bottle again. If you watch the two races here and Christmas, right after the second-last, you’re going, ‘We’re in a bit of trouble here,’ and then he’ll show you what he’s got.

“Three Grade Ones this year; he’s a decent horse now. That’s why we bought him, to get over the right fences, for the big day, for Grade Ones, and the boss gave us three. He’s probably level with me for this year!

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

Kennedy told RTE2: “We ran very strong. My son’s jumping was incredible up until the back ditch and he only made two small mistakes. From that point on, I found myself under constant pressure. I think his stamina went down at the end and he probably got a bit lonely at the front. He should be treated fairly and toughly.

“He has the heart of a lion; he’s very tough.”

Narciso prevailed for Grade One honours.

Narciso advanced his promising early career by winning the Gannon’s City Recovery & Recycling Services Juvenile Hurdle.

The Willie Mullins-trained four-year-old Mark Walsh was ridden as the even-money favourite for owner JP McManus and was always at the front in the two-mile Grade One.

He took a considerable lead as the field approached the closing stages and was in no danger of being caught, securing a four-and-a-half-length victory from stablemate Selma de Vary.

“It was a very nice performance; he did it the hard way from the front,” Mullins said.

“He settles nicely in front, jumps well in front and has enough for a kick at the end.

“He’s matured and looking at him, I think he’ll make a nice chaser. He’s a fine, big specimen of a horse.

“I loved him from the day he came. He was very green the first day he ran, but he’s learning all the time.

“He has prickled both ears from the start.” He seems well within himself and able to handle himself.”

Bookmakers have made Narciso Haze their 7-4 favourite for the Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham in March, with Selma de Vary nearly halved to 7-1 for the same race. Of the runner-up, Mullins said, “He’s missed a lot of time and I think he’ll improve a bit for that run.”

“He was a little bit green to the end. Paul brought him wide; he did not want to be involved with others.

“I think he’s a filly that has a big future. He looked pretty hot and that’s why we got him off the back. I’m not sure if flat racing will enhance his ability at all. We’ll see; we’ll get through the season first.

“Helooks like one for the Triumph as well and then maybe back at Punchestown. We could also go for a race at Fairyhouse; we’ll see.”

Dr Steinberg is very good

Dr Steinberg maintained his perfect record over hurdles with a comprehensive win in the Nathaniel Lacy & Partners Solicitors Novice Hurdle.

The Willie Mullins-trained Dr Dino gelding, who was responsible for subsequent Grade Two winner Thedeviluno, again, demonstrated his preference for hurdles by galloping home eight lengths clear of Paul Townend, following wins at Galway and Navan.

Yeshil ran early but took the 7-4 favourite, running two out and quickly falling to bed, with Kazansky in second.

“It was very impressive on that ground; it’s very hard,” Mullins said. “Every time we’ve been on the trip, he seems to love it. He is riding the Cyborg horse, which requires a lot of stamina.

“I think we bought two from Walter [Connors] that year, Kopec des Bordes and this dude, so it’s a 100 per cent record in grade one, which is great.”

“It was probably the first time he was going to the end before he relaxed. Everywhere he went,, he had a horse on his back and he was very free, but he kept running. The fact that it could pull like that and still run at the end of two miles and six on very hard ground.

“We thought he was a summer horse at first so he goes on all kinds of ground, but he seems better when he has the hard conditions.”

Doctor Steinberg has been shortened to 2-1 favourite for the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival and Mullins added, “He does everything right.”