Elliott cools Arkle talk for Romeo Coolio

Gordon Elliott would be “shocked” if Romeo Coolio ran in the Arkle Trophy at the Cheltenham Festival in March, unless the ground was soft.

The Cullentra House handler has been the man to follow over the festive period, with an across-the-card six-timer on Boxing Day followed by a five-timer on Saturday and a Leopardstown double on Sunday.

One of his big winners was Romeo Coolio, who claimed Grade One honours over two miles and a furlong in the Racing Post Novice Chase, but victory looked unlikely jumping the last.

It was his proven stamina that kicked in inside the final 100 yards and he managed to reel in Irish Panther, but it was not an easy watch for Elliott, who would not be keen to run him over such a trip on good ground again.

“There will be a lot of water under the bridge between now and then (Cheltenham),” said Elliott.

“He’ll have entries in everything, but to be honest I’d be shocked if he ran in the Arkle unless it was soft.”