Haiti Couleurs Primed For Cheltenham Gold Cup Moment

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


Since winning the National Hunt Chase at the conference 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 totally 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 moment in the saddle.


"We can't do any more now and he's in shape and prepared," .


"It would be great if a little rain comes. It's not a worry as such as he's flexible and has won plenty of times on goodish ground, however a little bit of cut may bring a bit more stamina into the race which we understand he has a great deal of.


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


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


"We're anticipating it and we've been on an incredible journey with him. Whatever he carries out in this will be a perk and we'll discover out if he is up to that class. It would be definitely brilliant for everyone if it could happen."


While Curtis is looking for her first triumph in the staying masterpiece, Nicky Henderson opts for his third with Jango Baie, who bids to follow in the footsteps of previous Seven Barrows greats Long term and Bobs Worth.


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


"I wouldn't say he's specific to stay the journey, however I'm hopeful. We understand he turns up the hill and he's got the rate to win over two miles," stated Henderson.


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


"We're hopeful and it's the natural place 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 an elite horse. To be reasonable this lad didn't actually win an Arkle, he fell in at the end of the day, however it was excellent at the time. He's not that fast, but he's quite skilled.


"If you look at the King George form then there should not be much between three of them. Pick who you like, they've all got excellent 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 two or 3 still playing, but you could easily see six or seven still in play this time. Then when the cards are played it might be goofy - who is brave enough, who leaps well adequate and who eventually shows sufficient."


Henderson's former assistant Ben Pauling and The Jukebox Man declared an unforgettable triumph because King George, with the scenes of delight including owner Harry Redknapp lighting up the festive period.


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


He stated: "Without Galopin Des Champs, there's absolutely nothing in the field other than last year's winner (Inothewayurthinkin) that has actually proved they depend on Gold Cup-winning standard and he hasn't looked like the 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 extremely lucky to have a horse like this.


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


Also representing Britain will be Venetia Williams' L'Homme Presse who was 4th to Galopin Des Champs in 2024 and has a great record at Prestbury Park.


He completed ahead of Dan Skelton's Grey Dawning when they satisfied in the Cotswold Chase, however the champion trainer choose has just ever had one day in mind because 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 concern and I'm entitled to state he's done it!


"The improvement from the Cotswold Chase has arrived, we are actually ready and I believe we will exist turning in. Whether he's good enough from there, I do not know, I simply sense we're going there the finest we can be."