Haiti Couleurs Primed For Cheltenham Gold Cup Moment

Rebecca Curtis has long seen Haiti Couleurs as a possible Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup winner and she will quickly learn if her "incredible journey" with her stable star causes more Festival glory in the greatest race of all.


Since winning the National Hunt Chase at the conference 12 months ago, Haiti Couleurs has added Irish and Welsh Grand National success 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 mission to end up being the first Welsh-trained Gold Cup winner since 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 healthy and all set," .


"It would be good if a bit of rain comes. It's not a concern as such as he's versatile and has actually won lots of times on goodish ground, however a little cut might bring a bit more endurance into the race which we know he has a great deal of.


"It's been rather hard for them to make up 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 looking forward to it and we have actually been on a remarkable journey with him. Whatever he does in this will be a reward and we'll learn if he depends on that class. It would be definitely brilliant for everyone if it could happen."


While Curtis is searching for her very first success in the staying masterpiece, Nicky Henderson chooses his third 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 in 2015, he was excellent on his return at Ascot over the intermediate range and has been kept fresh because 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 trip, however I'm enthusiastic. We understand he shows up the hill and he's got the pace to win over two miles," said Henderson.


"In the King George, after he jumped the third-last there was an injection of speed and we were absolutely captured on the back foot - we kipped down 4th and ended up fourth.


"We're hopeful 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 wouldn't have actually won an Arkle. But Long term was a classy horse. To be fair this lad didn't really 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 skilled.


"If you look at the King George form then there shouldn't be much between 3 of them. Pick who you like, they've all got excellent chances 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, but you might quickly see 6 or seven still in play this time. Then when the cards are played it might be wacky - who is brave enough, who leaps well adequate and who eventually proves excellent enough."


Henderson's previous assistant Ben Pauling and The Jukebox Man claimed a memorable triumph in that King George, with the scenes of pleasure involving owner Harry Redknapp illuminating the festive duration.


Now having also kept away from the racecourse since Christmas, Pauling is hoping his charge can show 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 actually shown they are up to Gold Cup-winning standard and he hasn't appeared like the very 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 incredible Gold Cup and we're very fortunate to have a horse like this.


"We won the King George by inches, but I make certain 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 great 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 completed ahead of Dan Skelton's Grey Dawning when they fulfilled in the Cotswold Chase, however the champ fitness instructor elect has only 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," stated 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 enhancement from the Cotswold Chase has gotten here, we are actually prepared and I have no doubt we will exist turning in. Whether he's good enough from there, I do not know, I simply have a sensation we're going there the finest we can be."