Haiti Couleurs Stepping Up For Betfair Chase Challenge

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


The Rebecca Curtis-trained eight-year-old won 4 of his 5 amateur starts over fences last season, rounding of his project 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 comeback victory over hurdles at Newbury bit over a fortnight ago, a return to the Berkshire track for next weekend's Coral Gold Cup was mooted, but he rather steps up to Grade One level on Merseyside.


Big @Sean_Bowen_ drive!


Grand National preferred HAITI COULEURS remains on strongly, benefiting from 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 excellent shape, it's an embarassment we have actually not got an additional week with him, however there's no sign in your home that he's not fresh - he seems really well in himself," said the Welsh fitness instructor.


"I believe Saturday will be really interesting and we'll type of learn what level he's at, I think. I 'd rather discover this side of Christmas, due to the fact that (then) you type of understand where you're going after 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 match him a little bit better and draw out a bit more enhancement, but at the exact same time Haydock has excellent old straight and I believe you have actually got to have a good stayer around there once the track's on the sluggish side."


Trainer Rebecca Curtis at Fairyhouse (Damien Eagers/PA)


Assessing his reappearance win over the smaller sized barriers, Curtis added: "I would not state I was totally stunned by it, as I knew he was effectively at home and I knew he 'd improved a bit. Seeing the way he was travelling and jumping, I stated after a couple of furlongs 'I think he's going to win this'. I simply get that feeling with him.


"He definitely 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 just tossed whatever at him to freshen him up instead of piling loads of work into him, so I can't inform you much off his home work, however he definitely looks sharper."


In 2015's Betfair Chase saw the Venetia Williams-trained Royale Pagaille successfully safeguard his crown at the chief expenditure of Grey Dawning, who is favourite to go one better 12 months on, with his fitness instructor 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 stated: "I 'd never ever wish to take anything far from the winner last year, however I just felt the conditions got us. I'm absolutely not taking anything far from the winner, but I wouldn't have minded 10mm (of rain) less.


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


"I constantly feel that is a difficult thing to do however if you have Grade One kind, then obviously they can and I have a lot of regard for those amateurs coming up and also a great deal of regard for Venetia's horse.


"I would like to begin this year with a Grade One and I feel there is a little bit of incomplete service with the race - we'll be heading there without any reasons."


Another classy beginner 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 3 weeks earlier.


Ben Pauling (right) has big expectations for Handstands (Steven Paston/PA)


Pauling is expecting to see a sharper version of the six-year-old this weekend, saying: "I have more faith in this horse than you might ever imagine - I simply believe he has a substantial engine.


"I'm a realist and I believe this is his finest opportunity of a Grade One this season. In our wildest dreams he may be a Gold Cup horse, however we have to be truthful and state by March things will be a lot hotter again and this needs to be our finest opportunity of a Grade One - we'll try to take it."


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