Haiti Couleurs Stepping Up For Betfair Chase Challenge

Connections of Haiti Couleurs can expect to have a clearer concept of where he stands in the staying division after the Betfair Chase at Haydock on Saturday.


The Rebecca Curtis-trained eight-year-old won four of his 5 newbie starts over fences last season, rounding of his campaign with big-race success in the National Hunt Chase at the Cheltenham and the Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse.


Having blown away any cobwebs with a return success over obstacles at Newbury bit over a fortnight back, a return to the Berkshire track for next weekend's Coral Gold Cup was mooted, however he instead steps up to Grade One level on Merseyside.


Big @Sean_Bowen_ drive!


Grand National preferred HAITI COULEURS remains on highly, making the most of an error from Bill Baxter to score back over obstacles at @NewburyRacing ... @rebcurtis pic.twitter.com/RtWsbcYbUW


- At The Races (@AtTheRaces) November 6, 2025


"He appears in fantastic shape, it's an embarassment we have actually not got an extra week with him, but there's no indication in the house that he's not fresh - he seems truly well in himself," said the Welsh fitness instructor.


"I believe Saturday will be truly intriguing and we'll kind of discover what level he's at, I guess. I 'd rather discover out this side of Christmas, since (then) you type 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 match him a little bit much better and bring out a bit more enhancement, but at the same time Haydock has great 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)


Reflecting on his reappearance win over the smaller sized challenges, Curtis included: "I wouldn't say I was absolutely surprised by it, as I understood he was effectively at home and I understood he 'd improved a bit. Seeing the method he was travelling and leaping, I stated after a couple of furlongs 'I think 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 generally simply tossed everything at him to freshen him up rather than piling loads of work into him, so I can't tell you much off his home work, but he certainly looks sharper."


Last year's Betfair Chase saw the Venetia Williams-trained Haydock specialist Royale Pagaille effectively safeguard his crown at the primary expenditure of Grey Dawning, who is favourite to go one better 12 months on, with his fitness instructor 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 far from the winner last year, but I simply felt the conditions got us. I'm absolutely not taking anything far from the winner, however I would not have minded 10mm (of rain) less.


"The race looks to have a little bit of depth to it and last season we were in the position a few of these will remain in this year, stepping out of amateur company with some good wins to our name however needing to step up.


"I always feel that is a difficult thing to do however if you have Grade One form, then naturally they can and I have a lot of respect for those amateurs showing up and also a lot of respect for Venetia's horse.


"I would enjoy to start this year with a Grade One and I feel there is a bit of unfinished company with the race - we'll be heading there without any reasons."


Another classy newbie from last season bidding to prove himself in open business 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 ago.


Ben Pauling (best) has huge expectations for Handstands (Steven Paston/PA)


Pauling is expecting to see a sharper variation of the six-year-old this weekend, stating: "I have more faith in this horse than you might ever picture - I just think he has a substantial engine.


"I'm a realist and I think this is his best chance of a Grade One this season. In our wildest dreams he might be a Gold Cup horse, however we have to be sincere and state by March things will be a lot hotter again and this has to be our best chance of a Grade One - we'll attempt to take it."


Gordon Elliott's Irish Story finishes the five-strong field.