Haiti Couleurs Stepping Up For Betfair Chase Challenge
Connections of Haiti Couleurs can anticipate to have a clearer idea of where he stands in the remaining division after the Betfair Chase at Haydock on Saturday.
The Rebecca Curtis-trained eight-year-old won four of his 5 beginner starts over fences last season, rounding of his project with big-race success in the National at the Cheltenham and the Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse.
Having blown away any cobwebs with a comeback victory over hurdles at Newbury little bit over a fortnight back, a go back to the Berkshire track for next weekend's Coral Gold Cup was mooted, however he instead steps up to Grade One level on Merseyside.
Big @Sean_Bowen_ drive!
Grand National favourite HAITI COULEURS remains on strongly, benefiting from an error from Bill Baxter to score back over difficulties at @NewburyRacing ... @rebcurtis pic.twitter.com/RtWsbcYbUW
- At The Races (@AtTheRaces) November 6, 2025
"He seems in excellent shape, it's a shame we have actually not got an extra week with him, however there's no sign in your home that he's not fresh - he appears really well in himself," stated the Welsh trainer.
"I think Saturday will be really interesting and we'll sort of discover what level he's at, I think. I 'd rather find out this side of Christmas, due to the fact that (then) you type 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 might suit him a bit better and bring out a bit more improvement, however at the exact same time Haydock has excellent old straight and I think you have actually 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 would not state I was absolutely shocked by it, as I understood he was really well in the house and I understood he 'd enhanced a bit. Seeing the way he was travelling 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 given that Newbury and he's a bit sharper in his work, not that we have actually worked him hard. I have actually generally simply thrown everything at him to refresh him up instead of stacking loads of work into him, so I can't tell you much off his home work, but he certainly looks sharper."
Last year's Betfair Chase saw the Venetia Williams-trained Haydock specialist Royale Pagaille successfully protect his crown at the chief cost of Grey Dawning, who is favourite to go one better 12 months on, with his trainer Dan Skelton confessing there will be "no reasons" this time around.
Grey Dawning is a hot favourite for the Betfair Chase (Bradley Collyer/PA)
Skelton said: "I 'd never ever wish to take anything far from the winner in 2015, but I just felt the conditions got us. I'm absolutely not taking anything far from the winner, but I wouldn't have actually minded 10mm (of rain) less.
"The race seeks to have a bit of depth to it and last season we remained in the position a few of these will be in this year, getting out of novice company with some great wins to our name however requiring to step up.
"I constantly feel that is a hard thing to do however if you have Grade One kind, then obviously they can and I have a great deal of respect for those amateurs turning 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 little incomplete company with the race - we'll be heading there with no excuses."
Another classy newbie from last season bidding to show 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 (best) has huge expectations for Handstands (Steven Paston/PA)
Pauling is anticipating to see a sharper variation of the six-year-old this weekend, stating: "I have more faith in this horse than you could ever envision - I just believe he has a huge engine.
"I'm a realist and I believe this is his best opportunity of a Grade One this season. In our wildest dreams he may be a Gold Cup horse, however we need to be honest and say by March things will be a lot hotter once again and this has to be our best opportunity of a Grade One - we'll attempt to take it."
Gordon Elliott's Irish raider Stellar Story completes the five-strong field.