Back to the drawing board with Coolio Gordon Elliott felt that Romeo Coolio didn’t see out the three mile trip after he finished a well-beaten fourth in today’s BetVictor Champion Chase at Down Royal. The 11/8 favourite travelled strongly into contention turning for home in the Grade 1 contest but weakened in the closing stages behind convincing winner Haiti Couleurs. Elliott will now explore different options for the Kayf Tara gelding, who was a triple winner at the top level as a novice last season. "He travelled well the whole way. Jack said he had a good blow," said the Cullentra handler. "Not sure he really stays the trip. "We will go back to the drawing board. No, I don't think so (stay at Grade 1 level), I think we have to explore different routes." Reflecting on the ground, he added: "It is very disappointing, but we are where we are. "We will all sit down and have a chat - the racecourse and the management team - and see what will have to be done for next year. It is not good enough, it can't happen. "We came out of the meeting with four winners, can't complain. "There's no point in trying to water a week out. We need to think about either moving this meeting a week or two further on - I know it would clash with different meetings - or we are going to have to start watering earlier." (Quotes by Michael Graham)
