Despite only three runners in the two-mile contest, it had a thrilling finish, with the Gordon Elliott-trained favourite just holding off Kargese (2/1) from the Willie Mullins yard.

Kargese, under Paul Townend, took the field around and was gaining at her jumps, with Romeo Coolio losing some lengths.

4-9F Romeo Coolio, for Jack Kennedy and Gordon Eliott, just held on at the line to repel a renewed effort from Kargese in the Goffs Irish Arkle@LeopardstownRC #DublinRacingFestival #rtesport
@rte2 & @rteplayer pic.twitter.com/4yiwTuCZ7H

— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) February 2, 2026

The mare led into the home straight and it looked as though she was on her way to victory, as the Jack Kennedy-ridden favourite seemed to be struggling.

Romeo Coolio soon fought back, and took the lead, but the mare was not going to go down without a fight and battled all the way to the line, being denied by a neck at the winning post.

The outsider, Downmexicoway (22/1), under Seán O’Keeffe, was third all the way around and collected €15,000 for completing the course.

Jack Kennedy, Gordon Elliott and the winning connection react to Romeo Coolio's 'gutsy' victory in the Goffs Irish Arkle@LeopardstownRC #DublinRacingFestival #rtesport
@rte2 & @rteplayer pic.twitter.com/nnraYjmlam

— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) February 2, 2026

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Doctor Steinberg gives Mullins opening Grade 1 success

The opening Nathaniel Lacy & Partners Solicitors Novice Hurdle got favourite backers off to a successful start as the even-money market leader, Doctor Steinberg, powered to an eight-length victory.

Ridden by Paul Townend, the six-year-old chestnut son of Doctor Dino asserted approaching the final flight of hurdles as the runner-up Kazansky failed to make an impression in the final furlong.

The second, ridden by Jack Kennedy for trainer Gordon Elliott, had a further six lengths to space over Love Me Tender, from the same yard as the winner, back in third.

Doctor Steinberg stayed superbly to land the Nathaniel Lacy & Partners Solicitors Novice Hurdle at Leopardstown.

Good start to the day for Willie Mullins and Paul Townend returning as 7/4f

Watch live now on @rte2 and @rteplayer https://t.co/b2OI4OoWVJ pic.twitter.com/LniOLJ8wrs

— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) February 2, 2026

Narcisco Has takes Grade 1 Juvenile Hurdle

Willie Mullins quickly doubled up in the second Grade 1 of the afternoon, the Gannon’s City Recovery & Recycling Services Juvenile Hurdle over two miles.

On paper, it looked like a rematch between Narcisco Has and Mange Tout, and much of the contest it looked like being so.

With Mark Walsh on the race favourite, Narcisco Has (evens favourite), the JP McManus-retained rider lead the field for most of the journey.

Jack Kennedy and Mange Tout, from the Gordon Elliot stable, remained prominent, while the eventual runner-up Selma De Vary (17/2) watched the action from towards the back of the pack.

With Narcisco Has asserting before the last hurdle, Selma De Very went second, while Mange Tout began to fade slightly.

The French-bred Narcisco Has stayed on strongly in the run in to claim the win from the Rich Ricci-owned Selma De Vary, with Mange Tout (15/8) crossing the line third.

Narciso Has (Evens) toughs it out in front in the Gannon's City Recovery & Recycling Services Juvenile Hurdle to make it two from two for Willie Mullins. Mark Walsh in the saddle.

Watch live now on @rte2 and @rteplayer https://t.co/b2OI4OoWVJ pic.twitter.com/mi7Y1EotQz

— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) February 2, 2026

Romeo Coolio holds off Kargese in Arkle thriller

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Trained by Gordon Elliott, the Gigginstown House-owned seven-year-old daughter of Kapgarde tracked the race leader, El Fabiolo, for most of the race.

The Jack Kennedy-ridden Brighterdayshead then took the lead two furlongs from home. She was soon followed by odds-on favourite Lossiemouth, who had been in third position throughout.

Brighterdaysahead began to exert her dominance as she soon powered clear on entering the home straight.

Paul Townend was showing worrying signs on the Willie Mullins-handled Lossiemouth but kept on one-paced and failed to land a blow on the winner.

BRIGHTERDAYSAHEAD

The Irish Champion Hurdle goes the way of @gelliott_racing and @jackkennedy15.#DRF pic.twitter.com/VETq91vWqD

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) February 1, 2026

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Kaid D’authie wins Novice Chase

The French-bred Kaid D’authie took the Ladbrokes Novice Chase before Majborough completed the double an hour later in the Ladbrokes Dublin Chase.

Kaid D’authie, winner of a beginners’ chase at Fairyhouse on New Years Day, stepped up to the highest level this afternoon to run out a four and a quarter length victor over Western Fold, with Final Demand a disappointing eight lengths further back in third.

The winner was positioned in second throughout most of the contest before taking the lead three out. The six-year-old gelded son of Choeur Du Nord was briefly challenged by the eventual runner-up, Western Fold, inside the final furlong. He stayed on well as the Gordon Elliott challenger ran on one-paced.

The disappointment of the race was the 30/100 favourite, Final Demand, the mount of Paul Townend. The Willie Mullins-handled son of Walk In The Park made no impression in the closing stages and was a well-beaten third.

The NEW kid on the block

Kaid d’Authie is much too good for his rivals in the Grade 1 Ladbrokes Novice Chase for Willie Mullins and Mark Walsh.

Final Demand trails in last of the finishers #DRF | @LeopardstownRC pic.twitter.com/6huUeQpWrV

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) February 1, 2026

Magical Majborough

Majborough (2/1) dominated the Grade 1 Ladbrokes Dublin Chase over two miles and one furlong as he completed the Walsh. McManus, Mullins Grade 1 double success.

Prominent from flag fall, the French-bred six-year-old son of Martinborough jumped well throughout the race before progressing clear two out.

The market leader Marine Nationale (5/4 favourite) chased the winner in vain in the home straight, but could not match the power and accuracy of the winner.

Majborough was a highly impressive 19-length winner, with the Barry Connell-trained Marine Nationale taking second by a head from Found A Fifty (10/1), ridden by Jack Kennedy.

Full replay and reaction: Willie Mullins hails Majborough as poetry in motion @LeopardstownRC | @Race_iQ

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) February 1, 2026

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The win was a 13th success in the contest for trainer Aidan O’Brien, with the winning son of Dubawi ridden by Christophe Soumillon.

The runner-up and third places were taken by the English-trained challengers, Anmaat (4/1) and Royal Champion (18/1), the mounts of Chris Hayes and Clifford Lee respectively.

DELACROIX is a fine winner of the €1.25m Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes! @LeopardstownRC | @BahrainTurfClub pic.twitter.com/WnGT9hdb2v

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) September 13, 2025

Another Irish Group 1 for Fallen Angel

Fallen Angel (9/4 favourite) took the first Group 1 contest of Irish Champions Festival when winning the Coolmore America ‘Justify’ Matron Stakes for Karl Burke.

The four-year-old grey daughter of Too Darn Hot, winner of the Group 1 Moyglare Stakes at The Curragh as a juvenile and the Tattersalls Ireland 1000 Guineas last year, was ridden this afternoon by James Doyle for Wathnan Racing.

Group 1 glory!

Fallen Angel makes it FOUR top-level triumphs in the €400,000 @coolmorestud ‘Justify’ Matron Stakes on an afternoon to remember for @karl_burke pic.twitter.com/3J0c00rIVJ

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) September 13, 2025

The victory was completing a quick double for English trainer Burke, who had earlier claimed the Group 3 CMG Group Stakes with Convergent in the colours of Newtown Anner Stud Farm. The three-year-old bay son of Fascinating Rock was ridden by Clifford Lee.

O’Brien and Soumillon win Champions Juvenile

Benvenuto Cellini (1/2 favourite) won the Group 2 KPMG Champions Juvenile Stakes for trainer Aidan O’Brien and Belgian jockey Christophe Soumillon.

Racing behind the leader for most of the one-mile contest, the son of Frankel quickened inside the final furlong to complete an impressive five-length victory from Hardy Warrior.

The winner of the race, in which all four runners were trained by Aidan, Joseph and Donncha O’Brien, now gains an automatic berth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf at Del Mar later in the season.

Benvenuto Cellini is bred to be top-class and the Frankel colt is very good in the Group 2 @KPMG_Ireland Champions Juvenile Stakes, scoring under Christophe Soumillon for Aidan O’Brien @LeopardstownRC pic.twitter.com/AjUzUhIzdB

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) September 13, 2025

Necklace is all Diamond in Ingabelle Stakes

Diamond Necklace, backed into 1/2 favourite before the off, won the Listed Ballylinch Stud Irish EBF Ingabelle Stakes for Aidan O’Brien.

Deputising for the injured Ryan Moore and the suspended Wayne Lordan, Christophe Soumillon oozed confidence in the final furlong as the bay juvenile daughter of St Mark’s Basilica pulled away from the field for a comfortable two and a quarter length victory.

Johnny Murtagh double

Johnny Murtagh’s topweight Rahmi (14/1) came late and wide of the field to win the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Sovereign Path Handicap for seven-pound claimer Rory Mulligan.

Alakazi (7/2) completed a Murtagh double on the day, as Ben Coen rode the three-year-old to victory in the Group 2 Tonybet Solonoway Stakes.

A double at the Irish Champions Festival for @JohnnyMurtagh!

Alakazi hits the line strongly in the €200,000 Tonybet Solonaway Stakes under @BenCoen2 in the iconic Aga Khan colours @LeopardstownRC pic.twitter.com/oTFnkcJxM5

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) September 13, 2025

Happy Pharoah (9/1) gave Donnacha O’Brien and Paddy Hartnett a win in the Petingo Handicap, while the final contest of the nine-race card went the way of 22/1 shot Pink Oxalis for trainer Stephen Thorne and jockey David Egan.

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The Henry de Bromhead-trained super mare is now 14 wins from 14 runs and equals Bula’s longstanding record, after her win in the €200,00 Grade 1 over 2 miles.

Nestled in third throughout by Rachael Blackmore, the eight-year-old jumped into the lead at the second last flight of hurdles. To the cheers of the crowd in the stands, the mare extended her lead before the final flight, defeating her main market rival Zanahiyr (6/1) by six and a half lengths, with 25/1 Echoes In Rain a further half a length back in third.

14 out of 14!

All class – the brilliant Honeysuckle lands a third @Chanelle_Pharma Irish Champion Hurdle at @LeopardstownRC #DublinRacingFestival@rachaelblackmor | @HenrydeBromhead pic.twitter.com/l1SdHrjmNt

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) February 6, 2022

Grade 1 treble for Townend and Mullins

The Grade 1 Ladbrokes Novice Steeplechase of €150,000 was the first of a Grade 1 treble for Paul Townend and Willie Mullins.

Galopin Des Champs (4/9f), highly impressive in a beginners chase at Leopardstown’s Christmas Festival, was a comfortable winner of the 2 mile 5 furlongs contest to claim the €88,500 first prize.

Wow – Galopin Des Champs justifies the hype in the Grade 1 @Ladbrokes Novice Chase! #DublinRacingFestival | @LeopardstownRC pic.twitter.com/OuerwjKGYn

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) February 6, 2022

Half an hour later, the Closutton team was back in the winners’ enclosure as 4/7f Chacun Pour Soi came back to form to take the Grade 1 Ladbrokes Dublin Steeplechase, worth €150,000, over 2 miles 1 furlong. It was a third win in succession in the race for the French-bred ten-year-old.

Three from three in the Grade 1 Ladbrokes Dublin Chase!

That’s more like it from Chacun Pour Soi at @LeopardstownRC #DublinRacingFestival pic.twitter.com/QMGyxWA6z8

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) February 6, 2022

Tattersalls Ireland Novice Hurdle (Grade 1) of €150,000 run over 2 miles was the final part of a Day 2 treble for jockey Paul Townend and trainer Willie Mullins.

The Cheveley Park Stud-owned son of Jeremy, Sir Gerhard (8/13f), had enough in hand coming to the last, which neither he nor the runner-up Three Stripe Life (5/1) jumped very well. He ran out a six-length winner with the same distance further back to Colonel Mustard (14/1) back in third.

Sir Gerhard strikes in the @tatts_ireland Novice Hurdle!

The Champion Bumper winner lands top-level honours over hurdles for @PTownend, Willie Mullins and @CPStudOfficial #DublinRacingFestival | @LeopardstownRC pic.twitter.com/AP7iyA120Y

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) February 6, 2022

Gordon Elliott scored a 1-2 in the opening Irish Stallion Farms EBF Paddy Mullins Mares Handicap Hurdle. Davy Russell steered the 7/4 favourite Party Central to victory in the colours of Bective Stud, while the Robcour-owned Say Goodbye (33/1) stayed on for second under jockey Robbie Power, one and a quarter lengths behind the winner.

The Bulmers Secret Orchard Leopardstown Handicap Steeplechase of €125,000 over 2 miles 5 furlongs went to the bottom weight Birchdale (9/2) for Enda Bolger and rider Mark McDonagh.

The winner of the 2 mile Liffey Handicap Hurdle (€125,000) was won by Call Me Lyreen (20/1) while Lily Du Berlais (40/1) was the final winner of the 2022 Dublin Racing Festival as she claimed the highly competitive €100,000 Coolmore N.H. Sires Santiago Irish EBF Mares I.N.H. Flat Race (Grade 2) over 2 miles.

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In the colours of Michael O’Leary’s Giginstown House Stud, the 18/1 shot, stayed on well to hold off the late challenge of 2021 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Minella Indo (11/2) by six and a half lengths, with the JP McManus-owned Janidil (7/1) a neck further behind in third.

Conflated – a new star in the staying chase division

December 4, @NavanRacecourse – wins the Foxrock Handicap Chase

February 5, @LeopardstownRC – lands the @paddypower Irish Gold Cup #DublinRacingFestival pic.twitter.com/gShrnNQh88

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) February 5, 2022

Minella Cocooner leads all the way in Grade 1

The €150,000 Grade 1 Nathaniel Lacy & Partners Solicitors ‘€50,000 Cheltenham Bonus For Stable Staff’ Novice Hurdle over 2 miles 6 furlongs was won in determined fashion by the front running Minella Cocooner.

In the colours of David Bobbett, the Danny Mullins-ridden gelded son of Flemensfirth, was an eight winner of the race for trainer Willie Mullins. Minella Crooner and Jack Kennedy were runners up at 100/30, and were best of the Gordon Elliott-handled runners. Another Cullentra House resident, Hollow Games (9/4f) was third in the seven-runner field.

An 8⃣th win in this G1 event for @WillieMullinsNH @LeopardstownRC

2012: Boston Bob
2013: Pont Alexandre
2014: Sure Reef
2015: Outlander
2016: A Toi Phil
2017: Let’s Dance
2021: Gaillard Du Mesnil
2022: Minella Cocooner pic.twitter.com/HwkGlYS0x3

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) February 5, 2022

Quick double for Mullins

Willie Mullins quickly doubled up when Paul Townend steered Vauban (9/2), who came on the outside of the 9-runner field to take the Grade 1 €125,000 Racing TV €12 per Month For This Weekend Only Juvenile Hurdle over 2 miles.

A race in which both Icare Allen (9/2) and Vadaly (18/1) put their unbeaten records on the line, it was Davy Russell’s mount, the 6/5f Fil Dor that gave the eventual winner most to do, before the Closutton inmate Vauban ultimately took the race by three lengths. Another Mullins runner, Il Etait Temps, was two and three-quarter lengths further back in third spot.

That’s a lovely performance from Vauban

Second to Pied Piper on his Irish debut, Vauban records Grade One glory in the Racing TV Spring Juvenile Hurdle for @WillieMullinsNH & @PTownend at @LeopardstownRC #DublinRacingFestival pic.twitter.com/J832tOCt8r

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) February 5, 2022

Four-timer on the day for Mullins and double for Townend

The €150,000 Grade 1 Patrick Ward Solicitors Irish Arkle Novice Steeplechase over 2 miles 1 furlong brought up a Grade 1 double for jockey Paul Townend and a Grade 1 treble for trainer Willie Mullins.

Blue Lord (5/2) siezed the advantage at the last as the favourite Riviere D’etel (2/1f) blundered under Jack Kennedy. With the rider reorganising the mare in the run from the last, the momentum moved to Blue Lord.

The eventual winner crossed in front of the Simon Munir and Isaac Souede-owned Blue Lord forcing stewards to call an enquiry. Despite the official distance between the winner and runner-up being only half a length, the result stood, giving Willie Mullins an open treble on the card.

The Lord of @LeopardstownRC… just

Some tussle between Blue Lord & Riviere D’etel, but @WillieMullinsNH completes a G1 hat-trick as Blue Lord clings on to land the Irish Arkle under @PTownend in the colours of @simon_munir & Isaac Souede pic.twitter.com/NQ994xLY9h

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) February 5, 2022

The Paddy Power ‘I’d Love A Can But Pints Are Cheaper’ Handicap Hurdle of €250,000 over an extended 3 miles went to the Kevin Sexton mount Good Time Jonny (17/2) for Co. Meath-based trainer Tony Martin.

A Wave Of The Sea repeated last year’s win in the Paddy Power ‘I’m Never Going Back To The Office’Handicap Steeplechase worth €100,000 over 2 miles and a furlong. The 9/2 chance was a winner for five pound claimer Shane Fitzgerald and trainer Joseph O’Brien.

The final race on the Day 1 card, the Grade 2 Goffs Future Stars INH Flat Race (C&G) over 2 miles of €100,000, went the way of Facile Vega (8/11) for Patrick and Willie Mullins.

Day 2 on Sunday is an eight-race card, with Honeysuckle, the crowd favourite, attempting to win another Chanelle Pharma Irish Champion Hurdle.

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Past winners include Envoi Allen, Appreciate It and Kilcruit

Goffs Future Stars Bumper (Grade 2) has lived up to its name as a springboard for stars of National Hunt. Past winners that include Envoi Allen (2019) before taking the Grade 1 Weatherbys Champion Bumper at Cheltenham and five subsequent Grade 1 victories.  Appreciate It won the Goffs (2020) before being placed in the Champion Bumper and winning three times at Grade 1 level include the 2021 Supreme Novices Hurdle at Cheltenham. Kilcruit, winner of the 2021 Goffs Future Stars, was runner up in the Cheltenham Champion Bumper before taking the Grade 1 Champion Bumper the Punchestown Festival.

High-class list of entries

Commenting on the sponsorship, Goffs Group Chief Executive Henry Beeby said:

“This time of year marks the launch of the 2022 Goffs Land Rover Sale as we begin the selection of the future jumps stars that will be on offer at Goffs in June.  As part of our commitment to Irish National Hunt Racing, we are proud to sponsor the Goffs Future Stars Bumper at Leopardstown which has attracted another high-class list of entries, and we are delighted to broaden our association with the Dublin Racing Festival through sponsorship of the stable staff canteen”.

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Patrick Ward & Company Solicitors have a long association with Leopardstown and the Irish Arkle. The Ward family name graced the Irish Arkle for the first time in 2010.

That season victory went to the Henry de Bromhead-trained An Cathaoir Mor, and subsequent years have seen winners such as Flemenstar,  Un De Sceaux, Douvan and Energumene.

One of the feature events on the opening day of the Dublin Racing Festival, the Patrick Ward & Company Solicitors Irish Arkle Novice Chase was first run as a Grade 1 event in 2002. Subsequent Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Kicking King was successful on that occasion for trainer Tom Taaffe and Barry Geraghty. He went on to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup two years later.

Tim Husbands CEO of Leopardstown welcomed the announcement, stating:

“We are delighted that Patrick is to continue this partnership with Leopardstown, the Ward family have sponsored the Irish Arkle for a number of years and have been part of and supported Dublin Racing Festival since its inception. The Patrick Ward & Company Irish Arkle Novice Chase has attracted a superb entry, from all the leading yards and if the recent performance of last year’s winner of the race; Energumene, are anything to go by, this will be another exciting renewal!”

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Day 1 – Irish Gold Cup

The Paul Nicholls-trained Frodon is among 18 horses entered for the Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup which will feature on the opening day of the festival for the first time.

Nicholls previously rode the winner of the race in Playschool in 1988 and then trained Neptune Collonges to win in 2009. He has also entered his four-time Grade 1 winner Clan Des Obeaux in the Irish Gold Cup. His King George VI Chase conqueror Tornado Flyer is among an entry of eight in the race for Willie Mullins. The Closutton handler has also engaged Kemboy, last year’s Irish Gold Cup winner, Melon and Asterion Forlonge.

Galvin, successful in the Grade 1 Savills Chase at Leopardstown over Christmas, Mount Ida, Delta Work and Run Wild Fred are on the Gordon Elliott team. Minella Indo and Eklat De Rire have been entered by Henry de Bromhead.

Day 2 – Irish Champion Hurdle

Sunday’s feature is the Grade 1 Chanelle Pharma Irish Champion Hurdle and racing’s star mare Honeysuckle heads the dozen entries as she bids to become only the third horse after Istabraq and Hurricane Fly to win the race on more than two occasions.

The Henry de Bromhead-trained mare completed a hat-trick of wins in the Hatton’s Grace Hurdle on her seasonal reappearance at Fairyhouse in November. The Kenny Alexander-owned eight-year-old is bidding to extend her remarkable unbeaten winning streak to 14 under Rachael Blackmore.

Her trainer Henry de Bromhead is the only trainer to have won the Chanelle Pharma Irish Champion Hurdle with three different horses, Sizing Europe, Petit Mouchoir and Honeysuckle. He has also entered Quilixios in this year’s renewal. Willie Mullins has four entries, headed by last season’s leading novice hurdler Appreciate It. Leopardstown stalwart Sharjah, a four-time Matheson Hurdle winner and third in Irish Champion Hurdle last year is also among the Mullins string. The champion trainer also has Echoes In Rain and Saint Roi in the race.

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