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 department after the Betfair Chase at Haydock on Saturday.
The Rebecca Curtis-trained eight-year-old won 4 of his five novice begins over fences last season, rounding of his project with big-race success in the National Hunt Chase at the Cheltenham and the Irish Grand National at .
Having blown away any cobwebs with a comeback triumph over difficulties at Newbury little bit over a fortnight earlier, a return to the Berkshire track for next weekend's Coral Gold Cup was mooted, however he rather steps up to Grade One level on Merseyside.
Big @Sean_Bowen_ drive!
Grand National preferred HAITI COULEURS remains on strongly, making the most of a mistake from Bill Baxter to score back over obstacles at @NewburyRacing ... @rebcurtis pic.twitter.com/RtWsbcYbUW
- At The Races (@AtTheRaces) November 6, 2025
"He appears in fantastic shape, it's a pity we have actually not got an extra week with him, but there's no sign in your home that he's not fresh - he appears really well in himself," said the Welsh trainer.
"I think Saturday will be really intriguing and we'll sort of find out what level he's at, I guess. I 'd rather find out this side of Christmas, due to the fact that (then) you kind of know where you're going after 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 suit him a little bit much better and highlight a bit more enhancement, but at the very same time Haydock has great old straight and I think you've got to have an excellent stayer around there once the track's on the slow side."
Trainer Rebecca Curtis at Fairyhouse (Damien Eagers/PA)
Reviewing his reappearance win over the smaller sized obstacles, Curtis added: "I would not say I was absolutely surprised by it, as I understood he was very well in your home and I understood he 'd enhanced a bit. Seeing the way he was taking a trip and jumping, I said after a couple of furlongs 'I believe he's going to win this'. I just get that feeling with him.
"He definitely looks a bit sharper considering that Newbury and he's a bit sharper in his work, not that we have actually worked him hard. I have actually essentially simply tossed everything at him to freshen him up rather than stacking loads of work into him, so I can't tell 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 defend his crown at the primary cost of Grey Dawning, who is favourite to go one better 12 months on, with his trainer Dan Skelton confessing there will be "no excuses" this time around.
Grey Dawning is a hot favourite for the Betfair Chase (Bradley Collyer/PA)
Skelton said: "I 'd never want to take anything away from the winner in 2015, however I just felt the conditions got us. I'm absolutely not taking anything away from the winner, however I would not have actually minded 10mm (of rain) less.
"The race aims to have a little depth to it and last season we remained in the position some of these will be in this year, stepping out of newbie business with some great wins to our name but needing to step up.
"I always feel that is a difficult thing to do however if you have Grade One kind, then of course they can and I have a great deal of respect for those amateurs showing up and also a great deal of regard for Venetia's horse.
"I would like to begin this year with a Grade One and I feel there is a little bit of unfinished business with the race - we'll be heading there with no reasons."
Another classy beginner 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 three 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, saying: "I have more faith in this horse than you might ever envision - I simply think he has a huge engine.
"I'm a realist and I think this is his best possibility of a Grade One this season. In our wildest dreams he may be a Gold Cup horse, however we need to be honest and state by March things will be a lot hotter again and this needs to be our best chance of a Grade One - we'll try to take it."
Gordon Elliott's Irish raider Stellar Story finishes the five-strong field.