Goffs Irish Arkle Novice Chase (Grade 1)

Off time: 14:56 | Winning time: 4m 22.40s

Downmexicoway⁸⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Darragh O'Keeffe| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 145| D

22/1

Winner of 2 of his 3 starts since switched to fences, producing a career-best when landing an 11-runner handicap at Gowran (2m, heavy) on latest start in November. Should win more races in this sphere but almost certainly biting off more than he can chew at this level.

Form: 7P-0121

Romeo Coolio³⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| OR: 158| CD

4/9

Grade 1 novice hurdle winner here last season before performing with credit at the big spring festivals at Cheltenham and Aintree. Unbeaten in 3 starts since switched to fences, landing a C&D Grade 1 in gritty fashion on Boxing Day, and he will prove a tough nut to crack.

Form: 132-111

Kargese^h³⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| CD

2/1

Smart hurdler who was turned over when odds on for her reappearance/debut over fences at Cork but made no mistake in a 5-runner C&D maiden chase during the Christmas period. Yard has dominated this race and she should make a real race of it with Romeo Coolio.

Form: 1/213-21

Forecasts

Romeo Coolio (4/9), Kargese (2/1), Downmexicoway (22/1)

ROMEO COOLIO quickly established himself as a leading novice hurdler last term and looks destined for even greater heights as a chaser. Indeed, he mastered Irish Panther close home when making it 3-3 over fences in a major C&D novice last time and while it wouldn't be to his advantage if this were to become tactical, he oozes class and should again get the job done, for all that smart mare Kargese won't let him have things all his own way. Downmexicoway needs to take a big step forward.