Haiti Couleurs Primed For Cheltenham Gold Cup Moment

Rebecca Curtis has long viewed Haiti Couleurs as a prospective Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup winner and she will soon learn if her "amazing journey" with her steady star results in more Festival glory in the greatest race of all.


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


He is now completely primed for his quest to end up being the very first Welsh-trained Gold Cup winner given that 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 all set," stated Curtis.


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


"It's been quite difficult for them to make up ground this week with the ground being as it is, which will suit his running design.


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 an amazing journey with him. Whatever he does in this will be a benefit and we'll find out if he depends on that class. It would be absolutely fantastic for everyone if it might occur."


While Curtis is looking for her very first success 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 term and Bobs Worth.


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


"I would not say he's certain to stay the journey, but I'm confident. We know he shows up the hill and he's got the pace to win over two miles," said Henderson.


"In the King George, after he leapt the third-last there was an injection of pace and we were certainly caught on the back foot - we kipped down 4th and completed fourth.


"We're confident and it's the natural location to go. We were going to run in the Denman, however it was bottomless ground.


"He 'd have more speed than Bobs Worth - he wouldn't 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, however it was excellent at the time. He's not that quick, but he's pretty gifted.


"If you look at the King George form then there should not be much in between three of them. Pick who you like, they have actually 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 only two or 3 still playing, however you could easily see six or seven still in play this time. Then when the cards are played it could be crazy - who is brave enough, who leaps well enough and who ultimately shows sufficient."


Henderson's former assistant Ben Pauling and The Jukebox Man declared a remarkable victory because King George, with the scenes of pleasure involving owner Harry Redknapp lighting up the joyful duration.


Now having also kept away from the racecourse because Christmas, Pauling is hoping his charge can prove he is top in an open department.


He stated: "Without Galopin Des Champs, there's nothing in the field other than in 2015's winner (Inothewayurthinkin) that has shown they depend on Gold Cup-winning standard and he hasn't looked like the exact same horse this season.


"I'm expecting something to stick its head above the parapet this year and I hope it will be us. It's an unbelievable Gold Cup and we're really lucky to have a horse like this.


"We won the King George by inches, however I make sure this track will suit him much better. I thought he looked tapped for speed at the back of three-out at Kempton but he in some way stuck on and I've got him in excellent order."


Also representing Britain will be Venetia Williams' who was fourth to Galopin Des Champs in 2024 and has a fine record at Prestbury Park.


He completed ahead of Dan Skelton's Grey Dawning when they satisfied in the Cotswold Chase, but the champ trainer choose has just ever had one day in mind given 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," 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 shown up, we are truly all set and I have no doubt we will exist turning in. Whether he suffices from there, I do not know, I just sense we're going there the finest we can be."