Haiti Couleurs Primed For Cheltenham Gold Cup Moment
Rebecca Curtis has actually long viewed Haiti Couleurs as a potential Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup winner and she will quickly discover out if her "incredible journey" with her steady star results in more Festival glory in the greatest race of all.
Since winning the National Hunt Chase at the meeting 12 months earlier, Haiti Couleurs has added Irish and Welsh Grand National victories to his growing CV and even more boosted 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 considering that Norton's Coin's shock 100-1 success in 1990, with champion jockey Sean Bowen seeking his own specifying moment in the saddle.
"We can't do any more now and he's healthy and ready," stated Curtis.
"It would be good if a little bit of rain comes. It's not a concern as such as he's versatile and has actually won a lot of times on goodish ground, however a bit of cut might bring a bit more stamina into the race which we understand he has a lot of.
"It's been rather 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 eagerly anticipating it and we've been on an incredible journey with him. Whatever he performs in this will be a bonus and we'll find out if he depends on that class. It would be definitely brilliant for everybody if it could happen."
While Curtis is looking for her very first success in the staying masterpiece, Nicky Henderson goes for his 3rd 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 been kept fresh given that being denied by a half a length in the King George at Kempton on Boxing Day.
"I wouldn't say he's particular to remain the trip, but I'm hopeful. We understand he turns up the hill and he's got the rate to win over two miles," stated Henderson.
"In the King George, after he leapt the third-last there was an injection of speed and we were absolutely caught on the back foot - we turned in fourth and ended up fourth.
"We're confident and it's the natural place to go. We were going to run in the Denman, however it was bottomless ground.
"He 'd have more speed than Bobs Worth - he wouldn't have actually won an Arkle. But Long Run was an elite horse. To be reasonable this lad didn't really 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 should not be much between three of them. Pick who you like, they've all got terrific opportunities and it makes sure to be a hell of a race.
"In some Gold Cups, by the time they come downhill there are only two or three still playing, but 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 leaps well adequate and who eventually proves sufficient."
Henderson's previous assistant Ben Pauling and The Jukebox Man claimed a memorable triumph in that King George, with the scenes of delight including owner Harry Redknapp lighting up the festive period.
Now having also kept away from the racecourse since Christmas, Pauling is hoping his charge can show he is number one in an open department.
He said: "Without Galopin Des Champs, there's absolutely nothing in the field other than in 2015's winner (Inothewayurthinkin) that has actually proved they depend on Gold Cup-winning standard and he hasn't appeared like the very 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 very fortunate to have a horse like this.
"We won the King George by inches, but I make sure this track will fit him much better. I believed he looked tapped for speed at the back of three-out at Kempton but he somehow stuck on and I have actually got him in terrific order."
Also representing Britain will be Venetia Williams' L'Homme Presse who was 4th to Galopin Des Champs in 2024 and has a fine record at Prestbury Park.
He ahead of Dan Skelton's Grey Dawning when they fulfilled in the Cotswold Chase, however the champ fitness instructor choose has only ever had one day in mind since his Betfair Chase heroics in the autumn.
"He likes 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 revealed that in the Betfair. People are entitled to ask the concern and I'm entitled to say he's done it!
"The enhancement from the Cotswold Chase has actually gotten here, we are actually all set and I believe we will be there kipping down. Whether he's good enough from there, I don't understand, I just have a sensation we're going there the best we can be."