Haiti Couleurs Primed For Cheltenham Gold Cup Moment

Rebecca Curtis has actually long seen Haiti Couleurs as a potential Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup winner and she will quickly discover if her "incredible journey" with her steady star causes more Festival splendor in the biggest race of all.


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


He is now completely primed for his mission to end up being the first Welsh-trained Gold Cup winner since Norton's Coin's shock 100-1 success in 1990, with champion jockey Sean Bowen seeking his own specifying moment in the saddle.


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


"It would be great if a little bit of rain comes. It's not a concern 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 lot of.


"It's been rather difficult for them to comprise ground this week with the ground being as it is, which will match his running design.


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


"We're anticipating it and we have actually been on an amazing journey with him. Whatever he carries out in this will be a bonus and we'll learn if he depends on that class. It would be definitely dazzling for everybody if it could happen."


While Curtis is browsing for her first victory in the remaining masterpiece, Nicky Henderson chooses 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 rejected by a half a length in the King George at Kempton on Boxing Day.


"I would not state he's certain to stay the journey, however I'm hopeful. We understand he shows up the hill and he's got the speed to win over 2 miles," stated Henderson.


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


"We're enthusiastic 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 won an Arkle. But Long term was a classy horse. To be fair this lad didn't truly win an Arkle, he fell in at the end of the day, but it was terrific at the time. He's not that fast, but he's quite skilled.


"If you look at the King George form then there shouldn't be much between 3 of them. Pick who you like, they have actually all got great possibilities and it makes sure to be a hell of a race.


"In some Gold Cups, by the time they come downhill there are only 2 or three still playing, however you could quickly see 6 or seven still in play this time. Then when the cards are played it could be wacky - who is brave enough, who jumps well adequate and who ultimately proves excellent enough."


Henderson's previous assistant Ben Pauling and The Jukebox Man claimed an unforgettable triumph in that King George, with the scenes of joy involving owner Harry Redknapp illuminating the joyful period.


Now having also stayed away from the racecourse since Christmas, Pauling is hoping his charge can show he is primary in an open division.


He said: "Without Galopin Des Champs, there's nothing in the field aside from last year's winner (Inothewayurthinkin) that has actually shown they are up to Gold Cup-winning requirement and he hasn't looked like the exact 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 fortunate to have a horse like this.


"We won the King George by inches, but I'm sure this track will fit 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 terrific 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 ended up ahead of Dan Skelton's Grey Dawning when they fulfilled in the Cotswold Chase, but the instructor elect has just ever had one day in mind given that his Betfair Chase heroics in the autumn.


"He enjoys the course, he's won at the course and he's versatile on ground, as long as it's not heavy," said Skelton.


"He stays, he revealed that in the Betfair. People are entitled to ask the question and I'm entitled to say he's done it!


"The improvement from the Cotswold Chase has shown up, we are actually prepared and I believe we will be there kipping down. Whether he's excellent enough from there, I don't understand, I simply sense we're going there the very best we can be."