Leopardstown turf track 26th December 2025, The Racing Post Novice Steeplechase (Grade 1) 14.20 UK Time.
He’s Gorgeous has shown improvement over fences this season.
He won a maiden chase at Clonmel on heavy ground 24 days ago, beating 14 rivals by three-quarters of a length.
Prior to that, he was second at Wexford on good to yielding.
His best performances have come on softer ground, which aligns with the current good to soft conditions.
No prior form at Leopardstown, but he has handled similar left-handed tracks.
Current handicap rating reflects his recent progress, and fitness is sharp from the Clonmel run.
Irish Panther impressed on his chase debut, winning a maiden at Naas on soft ground by eight lengths.
Before that, he won a hurdle at Clonmel on yielding.
He jumps well and shows good fitness from recent outings.
Prefers soft or yielding ground, so good to soft should suit.
Has placed third at Leopardstown over hurdles previously.
Recent form indicates upward trajectory in class.
Nurburgring was fourth in a Grade 3 novice chase at Cork on good to yielding.
He pulled up in the Galway Hurdle chase earlier but won a novice chase at Killarney on yielding to soft.
Ground preferences include softer conditions, matching today’s going.
Has experience at Leopardstown, with mixed results.
Fitness is adequate from the recent Cork run, but needs to bounce back in class.
Romeo Coolio won the Grade 1 Drinmore Novice Chase at Fairyhouse on yielding to soft, jumping superbly and winning by eight lengths.
He previously won a chase maiden at Down Royal on good to yielding.
As a hurdler, he won a Grade 1 at Leopardstown on yielding last Christmas.
Excels on softish ground and has strong course form.
Fitness is peak from recent successes, with top-class experience.
Salvator Mundi finished second on his chase debut at Thurles on good to yielding, beaten by one and a quarter lengths as favourite.
He was a smart hurdler, winning a Grade 1 at Aintree on good and placing second in a Grade 1 at Punchestown on yielding.
Ground versatility includes good to soft.
Has run well at Leopardstown over hurdles.
Recent form suggests he may improve with fitness from the debut run.
Shraheen placed third on his chase debut at Navan on soft to heavy, 19 lengths behind.
He won a handicap hurdle at Kilbeggan on good earlier.
Shows preference for varying ground, including good to soft.
Has a hurdle win at Leopardstown.
Fitness from the recent Navan run, but lacks class experience.
Westport Cove won the Grade 2 Craddockstown Novice Chase at Punchestown on soft last month, rallying late.
He previously won a maiden chase at Ballinrobe on good to yielding.
Consistent over fences with good jumping.
Handles soft ground well.
No specific Leopardstown form, but fitness is strong.
Break My Soul was fourth in a Grade 2 at Cork on good to yielding recently, well beaten.
She won a mares’ maiden chase at Gowran on soft before that.
Useful over hurdles, preferring soft conditions.
No course form noted.
Recent form dipped, but fitness remains.
July Flower won a Grade 2 novice chase at Cheltenham on good last month, confirming her chase debut win at Limerick on good to yielding.
She won a Grade 3 hurdle at Leopardstown on yielding a year ago.
Progressing well, with preference for good to soft or firmer.
Strong course form at Leopardstown.
Fitness excellent from recent wins.
Simulation Results:
Percentage chances: Romeo Coolio 73.748%, July Flower 23.122%, Nurburgring 1.776%, Salvator Mundi 0.624%, Irish Panther 0.43%, Westport Cove 0.202%, Break My Soul 0.07%, He’s Gorgeous 0.018%, Shraheen 0.01%.
Equivalent fractional odds: Romeo Coolio 7/20, July Flower 10/3, Nurburgring 46/1, Salvator Mundi 150/1, Irish Panther 200/1, Westport Cove 400/1, Break My Soul 999/1, He’s Gorgeous 4999/1, Shraheen 9999/1.
The best bet is Romeo Coolio.
The two value selections are Romeo Coolio and July Flower.
There are no steamer bets.
Trends based on last 12 years:
Romeo Coolio fits many key trends exceptionally well.
Although aged 6, which misses the preferred 4 or 5 age bracket seen in 9 of the last 11 winners, he aligns with 10 of 11 winners being in the top 3 in the betting as the clear favourite.
He won his last run, matching 7 of 11 winners, and that was within 44 days, as all 11 winners had.
He has previous course form with a run and a win at Leopardstown, better than most trends where only 5 of 11 had a run and 1 of 11 a win.
His distance form is lighter with fewer than 5 runs over 15-17 furlongs, but he excels in chase form with 2 runs and 2 wins, surpassing the basic requirement.
Hurdle form is solid with 7 runs and 2 wins.
He has graded wins including Grade 1 success, fitting 7 of 11 winners.
Season form is strong with 2 runs and 2 wins.
Overall, his profile suggests high chances in this renewal.
Westport Cove matches strongly across multiple trends despite being aged 7, outside the favoured 4-5 bracket.
He is not in the top 3 in betting, missing that for 10 of 11 winners.
He won his last run within 44 days, aligning well.
He has a previous run at Leopardstown but no win there.
Distance form is excellent with 7 runs and 2 wins over 15-17 furlongs, matching 9 of 11 for both metrics.
Hurdle form is extensive with 17 runs and 4 wins.
Chase experience is deep with 9 runs and 3 wins, well beyond basics.
He has a Grade 2 win, fitting the graded trend.
Season form shows 4 runs and 3 wins.
His experience and rating over 148 give him solid claims.
July Flower shows good alignment with trends at age 6.
She is in the top 3 in betting.
She won her last run within 44 days.
She has a course run and win at Leopardstown.
Distance form is limited with only 1 run and 0 wins over 15-17 furlongs.
Hurdle form is strong with 13 runs and 5 wins.
Chase form includes 2 runs and 2 wins.
She has a Grade 2 win.
Season form has 2 runs and 2 wins.
She could perform well if adapting to conditions.
Nurburgring fits the age trend at 5 years old.
He is not in the top 3 in betting.
He did not win his last run and it was over 44 days ago.
He has course form with 4 runs but no win.
Distance form is strong with 7 runs and 2 wins over 15-17 furlongs.
Hurdle form is extensive with 14 runs and 5 wins.
Chase form has 7 runs and 1 win.
No graded wins.
Season form includes multiple runs and a win.
His age and experience boost his chances.
He’s Gorgeous is aged 6, missing the age trend.
Not in top 3 betting.
Won last run within 44 days.
Has a course run but no win.
Distance form limited with 2 runs and 1 win.
Hurdle form 6 runs and 1 win.
Chase form 2 runs and 1 win.
No graded wins.
Season 2 runs and 1 win.
Progressive but may find this tough.
Salvator Mundi matches the age at 5.
In top 3 betting.
Did not win last run but within 44 days.
No course form.
Distance 3 runs and 1 win.
Hurdle 8 runs and 3 wins.
Chase 1 run and 0 wins.
Has Grade 1 hurdle win.
Season 1 run and 0 wins, missing the win trend for 10 of 11.
Potential to improve over fences.
Irish Panther is older at 8, outside age trend.
Not top 3 betting.
Won last run but over 44 days ago.
Has course runs but no win.
Distance 4 runs and 1 win.
Hurdle 10 runs and 2 wins.
Chase 1 run and 1 win.
No graded wins.
Season 2 runs and 2 wins.
Useful but trends suggest limitations.
Break My Soul aged 6.
Not top 3.
Did not win last but within 44 days.
No course form.
Distance 1 run and 0 wins.
Hurdle 13 runs and 3 wins.
Chase 2 runs and 1 win.
No graded wins.
Season 2 runs and 1 win.
Faces a class test.
Shraheen aged 6.
Not top 3.
Did not win last but within 44 days.
Has course run and win.
Distance 2 runs and 0 wins.
Hurdle 11 runs and 4 wins.
Chase 1 run and 0 wins.
No graded wins.
Season multiple runs and win.
Needs improvement.
In order of preference: Romeo Coolio, Westport Cove, July Flower, Nurburgring, He’s Gorgeous, Salvator Mundi, Irish Panther, Break My Soul, Shraheen.
