Romeo Coolio, Kopek Des Bordes head six Irish Arkle entries after forfeit stage

Romeo Coolio and Kopek Des Bordes head a total of six entries in the Irish Arkle following the first forfeit stage.

It’s the former who leads the ante-post market with Paddy Power at odds-on, boosted by a new wave of support on Tuesday afternoon that saw the 6/4 disappear.

Gordon Elliott has always insisted Romeo Coolio would not be seen over two miles again unless there is soft in the going description and with parts of Leopardstown Racecourse currently waterlogged, his path looks clear.

The seven-year-old needed every yard of the 2m1f to down Irish Panther in the Racing Post Novice Chase at the Dublin venue last month and he’ll be hoping for a greater test of stamina on this occasion.

One of the most exciting novice chasers on the scene, the son of Kayf Tara is undefeated in three runs over fences. An easy beginners’ victory at Down Royal was followed by an equally facile success in the top-level Drinmore at Fairyhouse.

He has already proved to be a more complete package in this sphere than over hurdles, where he was still a Grade 1 winner in the Future Champions Novice Hurdle and placed at the Cheltenham and Aintree Festivals.

Oozing in class, Romeo Coolio doesn’t get enough credit for his impressive versatility. He didn’t have it all his own way in the Drinmore, forced to sit in behind before challenging two out and he was under pressure a fair way from home at Christmas.

Leopardstown probably doesn’t suit him to a tee, fairly level in nature with a sharp finishing straight but the ground will certainly help to offset that.

Rated 8lbs inferior to Kopek Des Bordes over the smaller obstacles, there’s every reason to think that gap is now minimal at most switched to fences.

😅 Romeo Coolio remains unbeaten over fences with a narrow win in the G1 Racing Post Novice Chase @LeopardstownRC pic.twitter.com/Pu2tPoLBbx

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) December 26, 2025

Will Kopek Des Bordes run in the Irish Arkle?

Looking at the current betting – 15/8 with Paddy Power – it’s hard to be confident that Kopek Des Bordes will turn up and Willie Mullins is likely in a race against time to get him in the correct order.

Last week the six-year-old tightened in the market after connections were quoted saying ‘he should make the Dublin Racing Festival’ however it’s nothing but a sea of red on Oddschecker.

The same bookmaker went as big as 5/2 before that price quickly evaporated. Kopek Des Bordes was due to run in the Racing Post Novice Chase but suffered a minor setback in the build-up, undergoing a small procedure to remove a floating chip in his knee.

He set the division alight with an electric chase debut at Navan in November, easily landing the spoils by 13 lengths and the gelding by No Risk It All is one of National Hunt racing’s biggest sensations.

An awe-inspiring winner of the Tattersalls Ireland Novice Hurdle and Supreme Novices’ Hurdle last year, he’s rightfully a leading player in the Arkle picture.

Now back in full training at Closutton, he’s reportedly doing everything that’s asked of him at home. Whether that’s enough to get him to the DRF, only time will tell.

If Irish Panther was able to get Romeo Coolio in a brief spot of bother, a fully fit Kopek Des Bordes must be capable of taking him to a place he really doesn’t want to go and punishing accordingly.

Saturday may not be the day for it though in the expected conditions and the champion trainer might not be mad about giving his star novice a grueller on comeback from injury.

The ultimate goal is the Cheltenham Festival and that will be in mind, to get him back there in the best shape possible.

Kargese, Irish Panther and Downmexicoway could round off small field

Assuming Elliott’s Kala Conti runs in the Scilly Isles Novices’ Chase as planned at Sandown, Kargese, Irish Panther and Downmexicoway are the only other possibles.

Kargese broke her duck over fences at Leopardstown’s Christmas meeting in a procession and with race fitness on side looked a different animal than when beaten on reappearance at Cork.

She was a smart performer in open company last season, third in the Punchestown Champion Hurdle behind State Man and landed the County Hurdle at Cheltenham.

There’ll be a good battle on for the pace if she lines up alongside Kopek Des Bordes, two free-going types who love to get on with it and waste no time whatsoever.

Irish Panther has proved a revelation in the care of Eddie and Patrick Harty, once regarded as a tricky individual who struggled to get his head in front but it’s been quite the turnaround.

He’s very lightly raced at nine years old but that was an immense performance to go so close against Romeo Coolio and he proved he has the ability to dine at the top table.

His participation is still up in the air – connections mentioned they would have no problem going straight to Cheltenham but if he was too fresh then Leopardstown would warrant consideration.

Downmexicoway has plenty to find at this level if taking his place, fresh off winning a handicap chase at Gowran Park off 134 in November.