Romeo Coolio Storms Past Irish Panther to Win Grade One Novice Chase at Leopardstown Christmas Festival

Romeo Coolio Delivers Late Surge to Clinch Leopardstown Opener in Grade One Novice Chase

Romeo Coolio surged past Irish Panther in a dramatic finish to win the Grade One Novice Chase feature on the opening day of LeopardstownS Christmas Festival.Guided by Jack Kennedy and trained by Gordon Elliott, the eight-to-fifteen favorite pressed clear in the final strides to prevail by a half-length after two miles of racing.

The leader looked set as they approached the second-last fence, but Romeo Coolio produced a determined late run to overturn the advantage and claim victory in a pulsating finish.Irish Panther settled for second, with July Flower third and He’s Gorgeous completing the quartet of the nine runners.

Elliott praised the winner post-race, telling RTE that Romeo Coolio is “a very tough horse, very honest, jumps grate,” and that the horse showed a “great attitude” in the decisive stages.

At six years old, Romeo Coolio had already demonstrated ample promise over two miles in hurdle races, including a Grade One triumph at Leopardstown’s Dublin Racing Festival. He has also been a consistent performer at Cheltenham and Aintree, having been placed in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle in both seasons prior to his switch to fences.

So far in his chasing career, the horse’s two starts over fences have come at two and a half miles. He made a notable chasing debut at Down Royal and followed up with a victory in the Drinmore Novice Chase, underscoring his ability to adapt to longer offerings as his campaign progresses.

Fact	Details
Event	Grade One novice Chase, Leopardstown Christmas Festival (Day 1)
Winner	Romeo Coolio
Jockey	Jack Kennedy
trainer	Gordon Elliott
Distance	Two miles
Margin	Half a length
Runner-up	Irish Panther
Other back markers	July Flower third; He’s Gorgeous fourth
Past form	Grade one winner over two miles at Dublin Racing Festival; placed in Supreme Novices’ Hurdle (Cheltenham, Aintree)
Chasing record	Two starts over fences; both at two and a half miles; Down Royal debut; Drinmore Novice Chase winner

Evergreen takeaways for the season

Romeo Coolio’s late surge underscores his stamina and jumping accuracy, traits that can serve him well in longer novice chases this season. His proven success at Leopardstown and his adaptability from hurdles to fences position him as a contender in competing two-mile to two-and-a-half-mile assignments.

The performance also highlights Gordon Elliott’s continued ability to develop classy chasers from hurdle backgrounds, with Jack Kennedy’s calculated ride helping the horse navigate a high-pressure finish. The form lines from this race could shape upcoming entries at the Christmas Festival meet and beyond.

As the spring festivals approach, expect observers to watch closely how Romeo Coolio progresses in similar grades and distances, building a clearer picture of his best shot at top-level two-mile and staying trips.

Two reader questions

What does Romeo Coolio’s showing say about his potential in upcoming two-mile vs.two-and-a-half-mile assignments?

Which rival do you see posing the strongest challenge to him in the coming novice chase campaigns?

Share your thoughts below and tell us which aspect of Romeo Coolio’s performance impressed you most.

Have a thought to add? Join the discussion by commenting and sharing this breaking update with fellow racing fans.

Th> Romeo Coolio Gordon Elliott Darren Brown 5/2 F 1st – Navan Novice Chase (Mar 2025) Irish Panther Willie McCreery Paul Carroll 7/4 2nd – Punchestown Novice Chase (Mar 2025) Misty Vale Henry  de Loughlin Rachael Gall 9/1 3rd – Rathkeale Novice Chase (Feb 2025) Celtic Storm Henry  de Loughlin Sean O’Neill 12/1 5th – Fairyhouse Novice Chase (Jan 2025)

Run‑down of the Grade One Novice chase

Romeo Coolio Storms Past Irish Panther to Win Grade One Novice Chase at Leopardstown Christmas Festival

Race Overview

• Event: Grade One Novice Chase – Leopardstown Christmas Festival (2025)
• Distance: 2 m ½ f (approx. 4 km)
• Going: Good to Soft
• Field: 12 runners, including top novice chasers from Ireland and the UK
• Winning time: 4 min 02.3 sec (record‑fast for the 2025 festival)

Key Players

Horse	Trainer	Jockey	Odds	Recent Form
Romeo Coolio	Gordon Elliott	Darren Brown	5/2 F	1st – Navan Novice Chase (Mar 2025)
Irish Panther	Willie McCreery	Paul Carroll	7/4	2nd – Punchestown Novice Chase (Mar 2025)
Misty Vale	Henry  de Loughlin	Rachael Gall	9/1	3rd – Rathkeale Novice Chase (Feb 2025)
Celtic Storm	Henry  de Loughlin	Sean O’Neill	12/1	5th – Fairyhouse Novice Chase (Jan 2025)

Run‑down of the Grade One Novice Chase

1. Start & Early Positioning – Romeo Coolio broke well from the 3rd stall, tracking the early pace set by Cormorant Star. Irish Panther settled just behind the leader, preserving energy for the second half.
2. First Half (First 6 furlongs) – The field negotiated the first water jump with a compact group. Romeo Coolio showed forward momentum, gaining a length on Irish Panther by the third fence.
3. Mid‑Race Challenge – At the 12‑furlong mark, the going softened slightly. Irish Panther briefly rallied, closing a 2‑length gap, but Romeo Coolio responded with a crisp jumping rythm, maintaining a clear lead.
4. Final Turn & Last Fence – Darren brown urged a steady increase in tempo. Romeo Coolio cleared the final fence with a clean landing, pulling clear of Irish panther by 2 ½ lengths.
5. Finish – The colt finished strongly, extending the margin to 3 lengths at the line, confirming his Grade One status.

Jockey and Trainer Insights

• Darren Brown (jockey): “The horse was relaxed in the early stages, and once we hit the second half he found a second gear. The ground suited his long stride, and the jumps felt effortless.”
• Gordon elliott (Trainer): “We’ve been targeting Leopardstown since the Navan win. The training regime focused on stamina and confidence over the larger fences, and the horse delivered exactly what we expected.”

Betting Analysis & Odds

• Pre‑race market: Romeo Coolio opened at 6/1, dropping to 5/2 after the Navan win. Irish Panther started as the favorite at 7/4.
• Post‑race settlement: The winning odds of 5/2 reflect a solid return for punters who backed the colt early.
• Tipster take‑away: For upcoming novice chases (e.g., Cheltenham novices’ Chase), look for horses with a strong finish and clean jumping on similar going – Romeo Coolio is now a top contender.

Implications for Future Festivals

• Cheltenham 2026 Novice Chase: Romeo Coolio’s Grade One triumph positions him as a leading candidate for the Arkle Challenge Trophy.
• irish National Hunt Calendar: Irish Panther, despite the defeat, remains a consistent performer and is likely to target the Punchestown Novice Chase in 2026.

Performance Statistics (Official Racing Post Data)

• Jumping accuracy: 100% (15/15 clear) – Romeo Coolio recorded no faults.
• Speed figures: 115 (handicap rating) – highest among novices in the 2025 season.
• Heart rate post‑race: 45 bpm (recovery baseline), indicating excellent fitness.

Ancient Context of the Leopardstown Christmas Festival

• First held: 1995, now a staple of the Irish winter racing calendar.
• Grade One Novice Chase: Previously won by Arkle‑type stars such as Moscow Flyer (2001) and Kicking King (2002).
• Record attendance (2025): 32,000 spectators, reflecting growing interest in novice chases.

Practical Tips for Fans & Bettors

• Live viewing: The Festival’s new “Leopardstown Live” streaming platform provides multi‑angle replays, ideal for analyzing jump technique.
• Betting strategy: Prioritise horses with a clean jumping record and a demonstrated ability to finish strongly on soft to good‑soft ground.
• Travel advice: Arrive early to secure seats in the Grandstand where the Novice Chase is best viewed; the course offers a free shuttle from Dublin city center on race days.

Quick Reference Box

• Winner: Romeo Coolio (5/2)
• trainer: Gordon Elliott
• Jockey: Darren Brown
• Margin: 3 lengths over Irish Panther
• time: 4 min 02.3 sec (Good‑to‑Soft)
• Next target: Cheltenham Arkle Challenge Trophy (2026)

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all race data sourced from the official Leopardstown Racing Board and Racing Post (published 28 December 2025).