2.55 Goffs Irish Arkle Novice Chase (Grade 1) 2m 1f

Downmexicoway: Two from three over fences and smart performance to win a Gowran handicap chase off 134 in November. Will need the main guns to underperform to cause an upset.

Romeo Coolio: Unbeaten in three starts over fences, including Grade 1 wins in the Drinmore and here over Christmas. Wasn’t flashy in victory last time over Irish Panther, but this arguably doesn’t look any deeper a race. Biggest challenge will be ensuring he doesn’t get caught for speed, or make a mistake, when trying to pursue the front-running Kargese.

Kargese: Two-time Grade 1 winner as a juvenile hurdler (including at this meeting in 2024) who readily won last season’s County Hurdle. Proved no match for Kala Conti on her chasing debut at a time when the yard’s horses were tending to need the run, and then ran riot in a beginners’ chase here over Christmas, albeit her most dangerous rival sadly suffered a fatal injury. Faces a much more serious opponent here in the shape of Romeo Coolio, but her front-running style could pose a few problems for him if she gets loose on the lead.

Conclusion

He mightn’t be a betting prospect, given there is some danger with how the race could shape up, but Romeo Coolio looks the best of these and can continue his unbeaten sequence over fences. This trip is on the short side for him, but he could have the class to get away with it - and slower ground could bring his stamina into the equation against the talented Kargese.