Haiti Couleurs Primed For Cheltenham Gold Cup Moment

Rebecca Curtis has actually long seen Haiti Couleurs as a prospective Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup winner and she will soon discover if her "amazing journey" with her stable star results in more Festival splendor in the greatest race of all.


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


He is now fully primed for his quest to end up being the very first Welsh-trained Gold Cup winner considering that Norton's Coin's shock 100-1 success in 1990, with champ jockey Sean Bowen seeking his own defining minute in the saddle.


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


"It would be nice if a little bit of rain comes. It's not a worry as such as he's flexible and has won plenty of times on goodish ground, but a bit of cut may bring a bit more stamina into the race which we understand he has a lot of.


"It's been quite tough for them to make up ground this week with the ground being as it is, which will suit his running style.


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


"We're anticipating it and we've been on a fantastic journey with him. Whatever he carries out in this will be a benefit and we'll learn if he is up to that class. It would be definitely dazzling for everybody if it might occur."


While Curtis is browsing for her very first success in the staying showpiece, opts 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 outstanding on his return at Ascot over the intermediate range and has actually been kept fresh because being denied by a half a length in the King George at Kempton on Boxing Day.


"I would not say he's particular to remain the trip, however I'm hopeful. We know he comes up the hill and he's got the pace to win over two miles," said Henderson.


"In the King George, after he leapt the third-last there was an injection of speed and we were definitely captured on the back foot - we turned in fourth and ended up 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 wouldn't have actually won an Arkle. But Long Run was a classy horse. To be reasonable this lad didn't really win an Arkle, he fell in at the end of the day, however it was terrific at the time. He's not that fast, however he's pretty gifted.


"If you take a look at the King George form then there shouldn't be much between three of them. Pick who you like, they've all got great chances and it makes certain 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 quickly see 6 or 7 still in play this time. Then when the cards are played it could be goofy - who is brave enough, who jumps well adequate and who ultimately proves sufficient."


Henderson's previous assistant Ben Pauling and The Jukebox Man declared a memorable victory in that King George, with the scenes of delight including owner Harry Redknapp illuminating the joyful duration.


Now having also kept away from the racecourse considering that Christmas, Pauling is hoping his charge can prove he is number one in an open division.


He said: "Without Galopin Des Champs, there's nothing in the field aside from in 2015's winner (Inothewayurthinkin) that has actually shown they are up to Gold Cup-winning standard and he hasn't looked like the very same horse this season.


"I'm anticipating 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 sure this track will fit him much better. I thought he looked tapped for speed at the back of three-out at Kempton but 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 fourth 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 choose has only 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 say he's done it!


"The enhancement from the Cotswold Chase has actually gotten here, we are truly all set and I believe we will be there kipping down. Whether he's good enough from there, I do not know, I simply sense we're going there the very best we can be."