Romeo Coolio overtook Irish Panther in a thrilling race to the line to take victory in the Grade One Novice Chase feature race on the opening day of the Leopardstown Christmas Festival on Friday. Ridden by Jack Kennedy and trained by Gordon Elliott, the 8/15 favourite stayed the stronger to win by half a length after two miles. "He's a very tough horse, very honest, jumps great," Elliott said of Romeo Coolio when speaking to RTE after the race. "The horse showed a great attitude." Each of his two starts over fences to date had come at two and a half miles, with an impressive chasing debut at Down Royal followed by a brilliant victory in the Drinmore Novice Chase.

Source: BBC December 26, 2025 21:22 UTC