14:20 Leopardstown

Friday 26 December 2025

All12:0512:3513:1013:4514:2014:5515:30

Racing Post Novice Chase (Grade 1)

Off time: 14:22 | Winning time: 4m 5.6s

He's Gorgeous²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Donagh Meyler| T: P A Fahy| OR: 123| D

80/1

Has taken well to chasing this season, building on his runner-up effort at Wexford when going one better in 15-runner maiden at Clonmel 24 days ago. However, he looks to have plenty to find now upped in grade.

Form: 3454-21

Irish Panther^h⁴⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Kieren Buckley| T: E & P Harty| D

12/1

Fairly useful hurdler who finally opened his account at Clonmel in October. Bettered that form at the first attempt sent chasing when winning 16-runner maiden at Naas next time, jumping well and powering clear on the run-in, and he could still have more to offer.

Form: 3303-11

Nurburgring^t⁵⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: R Deegan| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 142| D

40/1

Galway Hurdle winner last year and off the mark in this sphere at Killarney in July. However, he hasn't been in the same form in 3 starts since (on the Flat penultimate outing), fourth of 5 in Grade 3 novice at Cork last time. Has something to find in this company.

Form: 394-1P4

Romeo Coolio²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| C| D

8/15

Grade 1 novice hurdle winner here last Christmas and placed at Cheltenham and Aintree in the spring. Has made excellent start to his chasing career this season, winning a Down Royal maiden before jumping superbly when landing the Drinmore at Fairyhouse last month. Leading contender.

Form: 2132-11

Salvator Mundi^t,h²⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Danny Mullins| T: W P Mullins| BF| D

9/2

Smart novice hurdler, winning 3 times last season including Grade 1 at Aintree when turning around the form from Cheltenham with Romeo Coolio. After 7 months off, possibly found absence taking its toll when unable to land the odds at Thurles on chasing debut in November. Respected.

Form: 11512-2

Shraheen³⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Niall Moore| T: P Fenton| C

125/1

Made it 3 wins from his last 4 starts in handicap hurdles when scoring at Kilbeggan in July. After 4 months off, ran well on chasing debut when 19 lengths third of 11 to Kopek des Bordes in maiden at Navan in November, though he faces another tough ask here.

Form: D11-613

Westport Cove^h,t³³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Brian Hayes| T: W P Mullins| OR: 148| D

28/1

Gained reward for consistency over fences when winning maiden at Ballinrobe in May and successful at graded level last 2 starts, rallying to lead again close home in the Craddockstown at Punchestown a month ago. More needed but can give his running once more.

Form: 24-1211

Break My Soul^t¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Keith Donoghue| T: Ian Donoghue| OR: 133

50/1

Useful hurdler who matched that level on first chase start with a comfortable success in mares' maiden at Gowran in November. However, disappointed bearing in mind that promise when well-beaten fourth of 8 in Grade 2 event at Cork 19 days ago. Bounce back called for.

Form: 2244-14

July Flower⁴¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Darragh O'Keeffe| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 143| C

9/2

Won Grade 3 mares' event at this course a year ago and was impressive when making a successful chasing debut at Limerick in October. Confirmed her positive start over fences when following up in Grade 2 novice at Cheltenham last month and she's likely to progress further.

Form: 3155-11

Forecasts

Romeo Coolio (8/15), July Flower (9/2), Salvator Mundi (9/2), Irish Panther (12/1), Westport Cove (28/1), Nurburgring (40/1), Break My Soul (50/1), He's Gorgeous (80/1), Shraheen (125/1)

ROMEO COOLIO has already bettered his smart hurdles form in 2 chase starts, winning the Grade 1 Drinmore at Fairyhouse with plenty in hand on his latest outing, so he is taken to provide his trainer with back-to-back victories in this event. July Flower also arrives unbeaten over fences and is feared most, though Salvator Mundi isn't taken lightly for his leading yard.