Haiti Couleurs Primed For Cheltenham Gold Cup Moment

Rebecca Curtis has long seen Haiti Couleurs as a potential Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup winner and she will soon find out if her "remarkable journey" with her stable star causes more Festival glory in the biggest race of all.


Since winning the National Hunt Chase at the conference 12 months earlier, 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 fully primed for his mission 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 champion jockey Sean Bowen seeking his own defining moment in the saddle.


"We can't do anymore now and he's healthy and all set," stated Curtis.


"It would be nice if a little rain comes. It's not a concern as such as he's versatile and has won lots of times on goodish ground, however a little cut might bring a bit more endurance into the race which we understand he has a lot of.


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


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 remarkable journey with him. Whatever he does in this will be a reward and we'll learn if he depends on that class. It would be definitely brilliant for everyone if it might take place."


While Curtis is looking for her very first triumph in the staying showpiece, 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 outstanding on his return at Ascot over the and has actually 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 specific to stay the trip, but I'm enthusiastic. We understand he turns up the hill and he's got the rate to win over 2 miles," said Henderson.


"In the King George, after he jumped the third-last there was an injection of pace and we were certainly captured on the back foot - we turned in 4th and finished fourth.


"We're hopeful 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 would not have actually won an Arkle. But Long term was a high-class horse. To be fair this lad didn't actually win an Arkle, he fell in at the end of the day, however it was excellent at the time. He's not that quick, however he's pretty skilled.


"If you take a look at the King George form then there should not be much between 3 of them. Pick who you like, they have actually all got excellent opportunities and it makes certain 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, however you might easily see six or seven still in play this time. Then when the cards are played it could be crazy - who is brave enough, who leaps well adequate and who eventually proves excellent enough."


Henderson's previous assistant Ben Pauling and The Jukebox Man declared an unforgettable success because King George, with the scenes of happiness involving owner Harry Redknapp illuminating the joyful period.


Now having likewise remained away from the racecourse considering that Christmas, Pauling is hoping his charge can prove he is top in an open department.


He said: "Without Galopin Des Champs, there's absolutely nothing in the field besides last year's winner (Inothewayurthinkin) that has shown they depend on Gold Cup-winning requirement 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 amazing 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 match 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've 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 fine record at Prestbury Park.


He completed ahead of Dan Skelton's Grey Dawning when they fulfilled in the Cotswold Chase, but the champion trainer choose has just ever had one day in mind considering that his Betfair Chase heroics in the autumn.


"He loves 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 showed 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 shown up, we are truly all set and I believe we will be there turning in. Whether he's great enough from there, I do not know, I simply have a feeling we're going there the very best we can be."