Haiti Couleurs Primed For Cheltenham Gold Cup Moment

Rebecca Curtis has long seen Haiti Couleurs as a potential Boodles Gold Cup winner and she will quickly learn if her "fantastic journey" with her steady star leads to more Festival glory in the biggest race of all.


Since winning the National Hunt Chase at the conference 12 months back, Haiti Couleurs has actually included Irish and Welsh Grand National victories to his growing CV and further improved his claims for the blue riband in Newbury's Denman Chase.


He is now completely primed for his mission to become the very 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 specifying minute in the saddle.


"We can't do any more now and he's fit and prepared," stated Curtis.


"It would be good if a bit of rain comes. It's not a worry as such as he's flexible and has won lots of times on goodish ground, however a little bit of cut may bring a bit more endurance into the race which we understand he has a great deal of.


"It's been quite difficult for them to make up ground today with the ground being as it is, which will match his running style.


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


"We're looking forward to it and we've been on a fantastic journey with him. Whatever he carries out in this will be a reward and we'll discover out if he depends on that class. It would be absolutely brilliant for everybody if it might take place."


While Curtis is browsing for her very first victory in the staying masterpiece, Nicky Henderson chooses his third with Jango Baie, who bids to follow in the steps of previous Seven Barrows greats Long Run 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 actually been kept fresh given that being rejected by a half a length in the King George at Kempton on Boxing Day.


"I would not say he's specific to stay the journey, but I'm hopeful. We understand he shows up the hill and he's got the pace to win over two miles," said Henderson.


"In the King George, after he jumped the third-last there was an injection of rate and we were certainly caught on the back foot - we kipped down 4th and ended up fourth.


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


"He 'd have more speed than Bobs Worth - he wouldn't have won an Arkle. But Long Run was a high-class horse. To be fair this lad didn't truly win an Arkle, he fell in at the end of the day, but it was fantastic at the time. He's not that quick, but he's quite gifted.


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


"In some Gold Cups, by the time they come downhill there are only 2 or 3 still playing, but you could quickly see six or 7 still in play this time. Then when the cards are played it could be crazy - who is brave enough, who jumps well adequate and who eventually shows good enough."


Henderson's former assistant Ben Pauling and The Jukebox Man claimed a remarkable victory because King George, with the scenes of pleasure involving owner Harry Redknapp lighting up the festive duration.


Now having likewise kept away from the racecourse since 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 besides last year's winner (Inothewayurthinkin) that has actually shown they depend on Gold Cup-winning standard and he hasn't looked like the exact 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 incredible Gold Cup and we're very lucky to have a horse like this.


"We won the King George by inches, however I make certain this track will suit him much better. I thought he looked tapped for speed at the back of three-out at Kempton however he in some way stuck on and I have actually got him in excellent 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 ended up ahead of Dan Skelton's Grey Dawning when they fulfilled in the Cotswold Chase, however the champ trainer elect has only ever had one day in mind since his Betfair Chase heroics in the autumn.


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


"He stays, he revealed 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 actually shown up, we are really all set and I have no doubt we will be there kipping down. Whether he's excellent enough from there, I don't understand, I simply have a feeling we're going there the very best we can be."