Here we take a close look at his profile, as the seven-year-old is set to run at the Cheltenham Festival in March.

Early days

Romeo Coolio is a bay gelding who was foaled on the 1st March 2019, and bred by Clononeen Stud. He is by the late Kayf Tara, who has consistently been one of jump racing's top sires in the last two decades, and out of Miss Baily, who won over hurdles and fences in France.

The good-looking gelding was initially purchased for 92,000 by Valyrian Bloodstock and he made one start in an Irish point-to-point at Belclare in March 2023. Winning impressively that day, he made all the running and jumped them into submission.

It's no surprise that he then went to the sales and leading Irish trainer Gordon Elliott picked him up for the substantial sum of 420,000. He then made his debut under rules in a Fairyhouse bumper and was well on top at the finish, scoring by a length-and-a-quarter.

A steep step up in class was next on the agenda and he ran a cracker to finish second behind Jasmin De Vaux in the Champion Bumper at the Cheltenham Festival. Disappointing at Punchestown after that, his performance that day wasn't an accurate reflection of his ability.

Novice hurdle campaign (2024-2025)

Romeo Coolio started off over hurdles in a Down Royal maiden hurdle over 2m1f in November 2024 and could hardly have been more impressive. Prominent throughout, he took the lead jumping the third-last flight and pulled 18 lengths clear with ease.

A trip to Fairyhouse for the Grade 2 Royal Bond Novice Hurdle was next on the agenda, although he suffered a shock defeat at the hands of Willie Mullins' Tounsivator.

Getting back on track at Leopardstown over Christmas, he won the Grade 1 Future Champions Novice Hurdle impressively.

He then headed to Cheltenham for the Supreme Novices' Hurdle but couldn't live with Kopek Des Bordes and eventually finished third. Second at Punchestown on his final start of the season, a step up in trip was surely on the agenda for the next campaign.

Chasing is his forte (2025-)

Being a point-to-point winner, it was only a matter of time until Elliott sent him chasing and he started off at Down Royal in October. He was far too good for Koktail Divin that day and that rival was an impressive winner on his next start, boosting the form.

A return to Grade 1 level was next on the agenda and he went on to win the Drinmore at Fairyhouse by eight lengths, while being eased down at the finish. The runner-up was the same distance behind Final Demand next time so the form is solid.

Just about getting away with it when dropped back to 2m1f at Leopardstown last time out, he's now the third favourite for the Arkle at Cheltenham, although he also holds an entry in the Ryanair Chase.

Kopek Des Bordes and Lulamba are the main contenders for the Arkle and he would struggle to compete with them over two miles. Although his trainer isn't too keen on running novices in open company, he would have a much better chance in the Ryanair.

Symbols Explained

ts² Tongue Strap vs² Visor hd² Hood es² Eye Shield ec² Eye Cover cp² Cheekpiece bl² Blinkers tt² Tongue Tie bf Beaten Favourite on Last Run srMentioned in Stewards Report in Results bbvBroke Blood Vessel

The superscript number on headgear bl² indicates number of times worn. A plus bl⁺ indicates more than 10 times where as red background bl¹indicates first time.