Haiti Couleurs Primed For Cheltenham Gold Cup Moment


Rebecca Curtis has actually long Couleurs as a possible Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup winner and she will quickly find out if her "amazing journey" with her stable star leads to more Festival glory in the most significant race of all.


Since winning the National Hunt Chase at the conference 12 months earlier, Haiti Couleurs has added Irish and Welsh Grand National success to his growing CV and even more improved his claims for the blue riband in Newbury's Denman Chase.


He is now totally primed for his quest to become the first Welsh-trained Gold Cup winner since Norton's Coin's shock 100-1 success in 1990, with champion jockey Sean Bowen seeking his own defining moment in the saddle.


"We can't do anymore now and he's fit and all set," stated Curtis.


"It would be nice if a bit of rain comes. It's not a concern as such as he's flexible and has actually won plenty of times on goodish ground, but a little cut might bring a bit more endurance into the race which we understand he has a great deal of.


"It's been rather difficult for them to make up ground this week with the ground being as it is, which will match his running design.


Haiti Couleurs is on course to represent Wales in the Gold Cup (Jonathan Brady/PA)


"We're eagerly anticipating it and we have actually been on a remarkable journey with him. Whatever he performs in this will be a perk and we'll learn if he is up to that class. It would be absolutely brilliant for everyone if it could occur."


While Curtis is looking for her first success in the remaining masterpiece, Nicky Henderson chooses his third with Jango Baie, who bids to follow in the footsteps of previous Seven Barrows greats Long term and Bobs Worth.


The winner of the Arkle here last year, he was excellent on his return at Ascot over the intermediate range and has been kept fresh considering that being denied by a half a length in the King George at Kempton on Boxing Day.


"I would not say he's specific to remain the trip, however I'm enthusiastic. We understand he comes up the hill and he's got the speed to win over 2 miles," stated Henderson.


"In the King George, after he leapt the third-last there was an injection of speed and we were certainly captured on the back foot - we kipped down 4th and completed fourth.


"We're confident and it's the natural location to go. We were going to run in the Denman, but it was bottomless ground.


"He 'd have more speed than Bobs Worth - he would not have actually won an Arkle. But Long term was a classy horse. To be fair this lad didn't actually win an Arkle, he fell in at the end of the day, but it was excellent at the time. He's not that fast, but he's quite talented.


"If you look at the King George form then there shouldn't be much in between 3 of them. Pick who you like, they have actually all got great chances and it's sure to be a hell of a race.


"In some Gold Cups, by the time they come downhill there are just 2 or 3 still playing, however you could easily see six or 7 still in play this time. Then when the cards are played it could be wacky - who is brave enough, who jumps well adequate and who ultimately proves great enough."


Henderson's previous assistant Ben Pauling and The Jukebox Man declared a memorable triumph because King George, with the scenes of joy involving owner Harry Redknapp illuminating the festive duration.


Now having likewise remained away from the racecourse given that Christmas, Pauling is hoping his charge can prove he is top in an open department.


He stated: "Without Galopin Des Champs, there's absolutely nothing in the field other than in 2015's winner (Inothewayurthinkin) that has actually proved they are up to Gold Cup-winning requirement and he hasn't appeared like the same horse this season.


"I'm expecting something to stick its head above the parapet this year and I hope it will be us. It's an unbelievable Gold Cup and we're really lucky to have a horse like this.


"We won the King George by inches, however I make sure this track will match him better. I thought he looked tapped for speed at the back of three-out at Kempton however he somehow stuck on and I have actually got him in great order."


Also representing Britain will be Venetia Williams' L'Homme Presse who was 4th to Galopin Des Champs in 2024 and has a great record at Prestbury Park.


He completed ahead of Dan Skelton's Grey Dawning when they met in the Cotswold Chase, but the champion trainer elect has just ever had one day in mind considering that his Betfair Chase heroics in the fall.


"He enjoys the course, he's won at the course and he's flexible on ground, as long as it's not heavy," stated Skelton.


"He stays, he showed that in the Betfair. People are entitled to ask the question and I'm entitled to state he's done it!


"The enhancement from the Cotswold Chase has gotten here, we are truly all set and I have no doubt we will exist turning in. Whether he's great enough from there, I don't understand, I just have a sensation we're going there the very best we can be."