Haiti Couleurs Stepping Up For Betfair Chase Challenge

Connections of Haiti Couleurs can anticipate 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 five beginner starts over fences last season, rounding of his campaign with big-race victories in the National Hunt Chase at the Cheltenham and the Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse.


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


Big @Sean_Bowen_ drive!


Grand National preferred HAITI COULEURS remains on strongly, taking benefit of an error from Bill Baxter to score back over hurdles at @NewburyRacing ... @rebcurtis pic..com/RtWsbcYbUW


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


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


"I believe Saturday will be actually fascinating and we'll type of discover what level he's at, I guess. I 'd rather discover this side of Christmas, because (then) you kind 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 might fit him a bit much better and draw out a bit more enhancement, but at the exact same time Haydock has good old straight and I think you've got to have a great stayer around there once the track's on the sluggish side."


Trainer Rebecca Curtis at Fairyhouse (Damien Eagers/PA)


Reflecting on his reappearance win over the smaller sized barriers, Curtis included: "I would not state I was completely shocked by it, as I understood he was effectively in your home and I knew he 'd enhanced a bit. Seeing the way he was travelling and leaping, I said after a few furlongs 'I believe he's going to win this'. I simply get that feeling with him.


"He absolutely looks a bit sharper because Newbury and he's a bit sharper in his work, not that we've worked him hard. I've essentially simply tossed everything at him to refresh him up rather than stacking loads of work into him, so I can't inform you much off his home work, but he absolutely 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 preferred to go one much better 12 months on, with his trainer Dan Skelton confessing 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 want to take anything far from the winner in 2015, but I just felt the conditions got us. I'm absolutely not taking anything away from the winner, but I would not have actually 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, getting out of newbie company with some good wins to our name however needing to step up.


"I constantly feel that is a hard thing to do however if you have Grade One kind, then naturally they can and I have a great deal of regard for those amateurs turning up and likewise a great deal of respect for Venetia's horse.


"I would love to start this year with a Grade One and I feel there is a little incomplete company with the race - we'll be heading there with no excuses."


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 (right) has huge expectations for Handstands (Steven Paston/PA)


Pauling is expecting to see a sharper variation of the six-year-old this weekend, saying: "I have more faith in this horse than you could ever picture - I simply believe he has a huge 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 need to be truthful and say by March things will be a lot hotter again and this has to be our best chance of a Grade One - we'll try to take it."


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