Haiti Couleurs Stepping Up For Betfair Chase Challenge
Connections of Haiti Couleurs can anticipate to have a clearer concept of where he stands in the staying department after the Betfair Chase at Haydock on Saturday.
The Rebecca Curtis-trained eight-year-old won 4 of his five novice starts over fences last season, rounding of his project with big-race triumphes in the National Hunt Chase at the Cheltenham and the Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse.
Having blown away any cobwebs with a comeback victory over obstacles at Newbury little over a fortnight earlier, a go back to the Berkshire track for next weekend's Coral Gold Cup was mooted, but he instead steps up to Grade One level on Merseyside.
Big @Sean_Bowen_ drive!
Grand National HAITI COULEURS remains on strongly, benefiting from a mistake from Bill Baxter to score back over difficulties at @NewburyRacing ... @rebcurtis pic.twitter.com/RtWsbcYbUW
- At The Races (@AtTheRaces) November 6, 2025
"He seems in excellent shape, it's a shame we've not got an extra week with him, however there's no indicator at home that he's not fresh - he seems actually well in himself," stated the Welsh fitness instructor.
"I think Saturday will be actually fascinating and we'll sort of learn what level he's at, I think. I 'd rather discover this side of Christmas, because (then) you kind of understand where you're pursuing Christmas and into the spring with him.
"Saying that, it is not going to be the be all and end all for him on Saturday. There are tracks that may suit him a bit better and bring out a bit more improvement, however at the exact same time Haydock has good old straight and I think you've got to have a great stayer around there once the track's on the slow side."
Trainer Rebecca Curtis at Fairyhouse (Damien Eagers/PA)
Assessing his reappearance win over the smaller challenges, Curtis included: "I wouldn't state I was completely surprised by it, as I understood he was extremely well in your home and I knew he 'd enhanced a bit. Seeing the method he was travelling and jumping, I stated after a couple of furlongs 'I believe he's going to win this'. I simply get that feeling with him.
"He certainly looks a bit sharper since Newbury and he's a bit sharper in his work, not that we have actually worked him hard. I've essentially simply tossed whatever at him to refresh him up instead of stacking loads of work into him, so I can't tell you much off his home work, however he absolutely looks sharper."
Last year's Betfair Chase saw the Venetia Williams-trained Haydock professional Royale Pagaille effectively defend his crown at the chief cost of Grey Dawning, who is favourite to go one much better 12 months on, with his trainer Dan Skelton admitting there will be "no reasons" this time around.
Grey Dawning is a hot favourite for the Betfair Chase (Bradley Collyer/PA)
Skelton said: "I 'd never ever wish to take anything away from the winner in 2015, but I just felt the conditions got us. I'm definitely not taking anything far from the winner, however I wouldn't have actually minded 10mm (of rain) less.
"The race wants to have a little depth to it and last season we were in the position some of these will remain in this year, getting out of novice company with some excellent wins to our name but requiring to step up.
"I always feel that is a hard thing to do however if you have Grade One kind, then naturally they can and I have a lot of regard for those novices showing up and likewise a lot of regard for Venetia's horse.
"I would like to begin this year with a Grade One and I feel there is a little bit of unfinished service with the race - we'll be heading there without any excuses."
Another high-class newbie from last season bidding to show himself in open company is Ben Pauling's Handstands, who looked a little ring-rusty when touched off by Resplendent Grey in the Colin Parker Memorial Chase at Carlisle three weeks back.
Ben Pauling (best) has big expectations for Handstands (Steven Paston/PA)
Pauling is expecting to see a sharper variation of the six-year-old this weekend, saying: "I have more faith in this horse than you might ever imagine - I simply believe he has a substantial engine.
"I'm a realist and I think this is his finest chance of a Grade One this season. In our wildest dreams he might be a Gold Cup horse, however we have to be truthful and state by March things will be a lot hotter again and this has to be our finest chance of a Grade One - we'll try to take it."
Gordon Elliott's Irish raider Stellar Story completes the five-strong field.