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 quickly discover out if her "fantastic journey" with her leads to more Festival glory in the greatest race of all.


Since winning the National Hunt Chase at the conference 12 months back, Haiti Couleurs has actually included Irish and Welsh Grand National success 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 mission to become the very first Welsh-trained Gold Cup winner because 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," stated Curtis.


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


"It's been quite tough for them to comprise ground this week 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 looking forward to it and we've been on an amazing journey with him. Whatever he carries out in this will be a bonus offer and we'll learn if he is up to that class. It would be definitely fantastic for everybody if it could happen."


While Curtis is looking for her first triumph in the staying showpiece, Nicky Henderson goes for his third with Jango Baie, who bids to follow in the footsteps of previous Seven Barrows greats Long term and Bobs Worth.


The winner of the Arkle here last year, he was excellent on his return at Ascot over the intermediate distance and has actually been kept fresh since being denied by a half a length in the King George at Kempton on Boxing Day.


"I wouldn't state he's certain to stay the journey, but I'm enthusiastic. 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 certainly caught on the back foot - we turned in fourth and ended up fourth.


"We're enthusiastic and it's the natural place 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 reasonable this lad didn't really win an Arkle, he fell in at the end of the day, but it was excellent at the time. He's not that quick, however he's quite talented.


"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've all got great opportunities and it's sure to be a hell of a race.


"In some Gold Cups, by the time they come downhill there are just two or three still playing, but you might easily see six or seven still in play this time. Then when the cards are played it might be crazy - who is brave enough, who jumps well enough and who ultimately shows sufficient."


Henderson's previous assistant Ben Pauling and The Jukebox Man claimed a remarkable victory because 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 show he is number one in an open division.


He stated: "Without Galopin Des Champs, there's absolutely nothing in the field besides in 2015's winner (Inothewayurthinkin) that has actually shown they are up to Gold Cup-winning requirement and he hasn't appeared 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 extraordinary Gold Cup and we're very lucky to have a horse like this.


"We won the King George by inches, but I make sure this track will suit him much better. I believed he looked tapped for speed at the back of three-out at Kempton however he in some way stuck on and I've 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 finished ahead of Dan Skelton's Grey Dawning when they met in the Cotswold Chase, however the champ trainer choose has just ever had one day in mind since 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 remains, he revealed 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 gotten here, we are actually all set and I believe we will be there kipping down. Whether he suffices from there, I do not know, I just sense we're going there the very best we can be."