Arkle the ‘ultimate target’ for Irish Panther

All roads appear to lead to the Arkle for Irish Panther after his gallant effort in the Racing Post Novice Chase at Leopardstown on Boxing Day.

The nine-year-old began his season with a runaway hurdles victory, after which he transitioned to steeplechasing with an eight-length win on debut in a beginners’ event at Naas.

Eddie and Patrick Harty’s charge stepped up sharply in class for the Racing Post Novice Chase, a two-mile one-furlong Grade One in which he was a 12-1 chance when ridden by Kieren Buckley.

He travelled and jumped with great fluency throughout and looked a real threat turning for home, with the 8-15 favourite Romeo Coolio just running him down and edging ahead to win by half a length on the line.

It was a promising run in defeat and sets in motion a plan to aim Irish Panther at further Grade One contests, with the Arkle at the Cheltenham Festival the overarching goal.

“He ran a fantastic race, I think if it had been two miles dead-on he probably would have won,” said Eddie Harty.

“I think he just got outstayed on the line. Romeo Coolio is a hell of a horse and he can move up or down in distance.

“He’s clearly very good but we were delighted with our horse, he jumped and travelled and looked to have the race won except for the last 100 yards.

“He’s in good form and has been very well since. The ultimate aim is now Cheltenham, whether he goes to Leopardstown between then and now will be a discussion between, myself, Patrick and the horse.

“We’ve no worries about going straight to Cheltenham, but if the horse is very fresh and looks like he needs a run to keep him on the level then that’s what we’ll do – but the ultimate target is the Arkle.”