Haiti Couleurs Primed For Cheltenham Gold Cup Moment

Rebecca Curtis has long viewed Haiti Couleurs as a potential Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup winner and she will quickly discover if her "amazing journey" with her stable star results in more Festival splendor in the most significant race of all.


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


He is now completely primed for his quest to end up being the 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 specifying minute in the saddle.


"We can't do anymore now and he's fit and ready," stated Curtis.


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


"It's been quite difficult for them to comprise ground today with the ground being as it is, which will match his running style.


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


"We're eagerly anticipating it and we've been on a fantastic journey with him. Whatever he does in this will be a reward and we'll learn if he is up to that class. It would be absolutely dazzling for everyone if it could happen."


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


The winner of the Arkle here in 2015, he was excellent on his return at Ascot over the intermediate distance and has actually been kept fresh because being rejected by a half a length in the King George at Kempton on Boxing Day.


"I wouldn't state he's specific to stay the trip, but I'm hopeful. We know he comes up the hill and he's got the rate to win over 2 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 completed 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 actually won an Arkle. But Long Run was a classy horse. To be fair this lad didn't really win an Arkle, he fell in at the end of the day, but it was great at the time. He's not that fast, but he's pretty skilled.


"If you look at the King George form then there shouldn't be much in between 3 of them. Pick who you like, they've all got terrific opportunities 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 3 still playing, however you could easily 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 enough and who ultimately proves great enough."


Henderson's previous assistant Ben Pauling and The Jukebox Man declared a remarkable triumph because King George, with the scenes of joy involving owner Harry Redknapp illuminating the festive duration.


Now having likewise kept away from the racecourse given that Christmas, Pauling is hoping his charge can prove he is top in an open division.


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


"We won the King George by inches, but I make 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 somehow stuck on and I've got him in terrific 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 fulfilled in the Cotswold Chase, however the champion fitness instructor choose has only ever had one day in mind considering that his Betfair Chase heroics in the autumn.


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


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


"The enhancement from the Cotswold Chase has arrived, we are actually ready and I have no doubt we will exist turning in. Whether he suffices from there, I don't understand, I simply sense we're going there the very best we can be."