Elliott wary of Kargese threat to Romeo Coolio

Gordon Elliott is willing his string to rekindle the Christmas spirit, believing his star novice chaser Romeo Coolio faces a real threat in the form of Kargese in the Goffs Irish Arkle Novice Chase at Leopardstown.

The Cullentra House handler’s runners were firing on all cylinders during the festive period, with Romeo Coolio one of those to excel when dropping back in trip to land his second Grade One victory over the larger obstacles.

The inclement weather in the build-up to the Dublin Racing Festival sees the strapping seven-year-old remain at that distance on Saturday, where despite the absence of Willie Mullins’ Kopek Des Bordes, he has a more than worthy adversary in the form of the 14-length course winner.

Elliott said: “The race has cut up, but Kargese is a good mare and was rated higher than us over hurdles. We’ll see what happens and testing ground will help our horse.

“We’ve had 11 winners in January, but I think it’s 28 seconds and thirds so they’ve been running well still.

“We were in a rare spell at Christmas where everything went right for us, but we’ve just had a lot of seconds and thirds this month.

“I’m still happy with how they are running. It’s no walkover, Willie’s mare was rated higher over hurdles and is getting weight off him. Christmas went that well for us I’m just hoping things go right.”

Elliott also holds strong claims in the Gannon’s City Recovery & Recycling Services Juvenile Hurdle, where the unbeaten Mange Tout has the chance to confirm form over likely favourite Narciso Has who impressed in the Irish capital on St Stephen’s Day.

“She’s done nothing wrong so far and she won at Down Royal the first day despite being too free,” explained Robbie Power, racing manager for Mange Tout’s owners Robcour.

“She had won in France in a hood and we put that back on for Fairyhouse and she was much more professional there and jumped really quick.

“This is a very competitive juvenile and I imagine whatever wins it will be favourite for the Triumph after, but she’s in good form.”

Elliott and Robcour are well represented in the opening Nathaniel Lacy & Partners Solicitors Novice Hurdle by Punchestown and Clonmel winner Santo Sospir, with Elliott fielding four of the nine-strong field and in opposition to Mullins’ likely favourite Doctor Steinberg.

Power added: “The trip and ground will suit Santo Sospir and he loved the heavy ground at Clonmel so you would think it would suit him at Leopardstown as well.

“He’s still a big baby who will progress as he gains experience and it’s a big step up in class for him so it’ll be interesting to see how he gets on.”

Also in the race is Declan Queally’s hat-trick-seeking Tackletommywoowoo who will bid to quickly double his stable’s top-level haul after I’ll Sort That’s momentous victory at Naas earlier this month.

Queally said: “We’re looking forward to it and the small syndicate are really excited.

“We decided to give him a freshen up since his last race at Cork because he has been in all summer. He’s had six weeks of and is back now in good form and I’m happy with him. He did a nice piece of work with I’ll Sort That the other morning and he’s a lovely horse.

“It’s a big ask, but for the syndicate in question it’s a dream come true and he’s at least proven at the trip.

“He stays well and is very well behaved and he’s a good jumper. He’ll be coming home strong hopefully and he’s improved an awful lot since the summer. He’s a stronger horse now than he was and he’s only just turning six.

“Doctor Steinberg has some smart form with the Paul Nolan horse who won the Grade Two (Thedeviluno, at Doncaster), but I think they’re all kind of the same level. Obviously it’s going to be hard to win it, but I don’t think it’s a crazy Grade One.

“If he could be placed it would be a dream come true and anything better would just be an even more amazing scenario.”