Gordon Elliott is keeping his options wide open for Romeo Coolio after an impressive win in the BAR 1 Betting Drinmore Novice Chase at Fairyhouse. The six-year-old, who secured a Grade 1 hurdle victory at last season’s Dublin Racing Festival and competed in top-tier races at Cheltenham and Aintree this spring, started his chasing career perfectly with a win at Down Royal in late October.
Romeo Coolio, favored at 8-15 over the same 2.5-mile distance, claimed another Grade 1 victory in his second chase start, displaying confident and fluent jumping under Jack Kennedy to win by eight lengths over Gold Dancer. Elliott expressed excitement about the horse’s future, noting that chasing has always been his strength.
With no 2.5-mile Grade 1 option for novice chasers at the last Cheltenham Festival, Romeo Coolio faces a choice: either step up to three miles in the Brown Advisory Novice Chase or drop back to two miles in the Arkle, where his odds have shortened from 8-1 to 5-1 at Coral. Elliott mentioned there are several potential targets ahead, including a return to Fairyhouse for Easter or racing at Aintree, highlighting the horse’s adaptability from fast paces to slower ones in jumps.
When asked about the Leopardstown Christmas Meeting as a possible next race, Elliott said plans are still open, with Kempton also a possibility. He recalled the owners’ initial dream of having a champion chase horse and acknowledged that while it’s unclear if Romeo Coolio has the necessary speed, they remain hopeful and open to all possibilities.
Fan Take: Romeo Coolio’s dominant form and flexible racing options make him an exciting prospect for the upcoming season, capturing the imagination of horse racing fans eager to see a new star emerge. His potential to compete at the highest level, whether over two or three miles, adds an intriguing storyline to the sport’s chase division.
