Haiti Couleurs Stepping Up For Betfair Chase Challenge
Connections of Haiti Couleurs can anticipate to have a clearer concept of where he stands in the staying division after the Betfair Chase at Haydock on Saturday.
The Rebecca Curtis-trained eight-year-old won 4 of his 5 beginner starts over fences last season, rounding of his campaign 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 return success over hurdles at Newbury bit over a fortnight earlier, a return to the Berkshire track for next weekend's Coral Gold Cup was mooted, but he instead steps up to Grade One level on Merseyside.
Big @Sean_Bowen_ drive!
Grand National preferred HAITI COULEURS remains on highly, making the most of a mistake from Bill Baxter to score back over hurdles at @NewburyRacing ... @rebcurtis pic.twitter.com/RtWsbcYbUW
- At The Races (@AtTheRaces) November 6, 2025
"He seems in excellent shape, it's a pity we have actually not got an extra week with him, however there's no indicator in your home that he's not fresh - he seems truly well in himself," stated the Welsh trainer.
"I believe Saturday will be truly interesting and we'll type of discover out what level he's at, I guess. I 'd rather learn this side of Christmas, due to the fact that (then) you sort of understand where you're pursuing 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 may match him a little bit better and highlight a bit more improvement, but at the very same time Haydock has good old straight and I believe you've got to have a great stayer around there once the track's on the sluggish side."
Trainer Rebecca Curtis at Fairyhouse (Damien Eagers/PA)
Reviewing his reappearance win over the smaller sized challenges, Curtis added: "I wouldn't state I was totally shocked by it, as I knew he was effectively in the house and I understood he 'd enhanced a bit. Seeing the way he was taking a trip and leaping, I stated after a couple of furlongs 'I believe he's going to win this'. I just get that sensation with him.
"He certainly looks a bit sharper since Newbury and he's a bit sharper in his work, not that we've worked him hard. I have actually generally simply thrown whatever at him to freshen him up rather than stacking loads of work into him, so I can't inform you much off his home work, however he certainly looks sharper."
In 2015's Betfair Chase saw the Venetia Williams-trained Haydock specialist Royale Pagaille successfully protect his crown at the chief expenditure of Grey Dawning, who is to go one better 12 months on, with his trainer Dan Skelton admitting there will be "no excuses" this time around.
Grey Dawning is a hot favourite for the Betfair Chase (Bradley Collyer/PA)
Skelton stated: "I 'd never want to take anything far from the winner last year, however I simply felt the conditions got us. I'm definitely not taking anything far from the winner, however I wouldn't have minded 10mm (of rain) less.
"The race seeks to have a bit of depth to it and last season we remained in the position some of these will remain in this year, stepping out of novice business with some excellent wins to our name but needing to step up.
"I constantly feel that is a difficult thing to do but if you have Grade One kind, then of course they can and I have a great deal of regard for those amateurs showing up and also a great deal of regard for Venetia's horse.
"I would like to start this year with a Grade One and I feel there is a bit of incomplete company with the race - we'll be heading there without any reasons."
Another classy amateur 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 back.
Ben Pauling (ideal) has huge expectations for Handstands (Steven Paston/PA)
Pauling is expecting to see a sharper version of the six-year-old this weekend, stating: "I have more faith in this horse than you might ever think of - I just believe he has a big engine.
"I'm a realist and I think this is his finest opportunity of a Grade One this season. In our wildest dreams he might be a Gold Cup horse, however we have to be truthful and state by March things will be a lot hotter once again and this has to be our finest possibility of a Grade One - we'll attempt to take it."
Gordon Elliott's Irish raider Stellar Story completes the five-strong field.