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 at Haydock on Saturday.
The Rebecca Curtis-trained eight-year-old won four of his 5 novice 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 little over a fortnight earlier, a go back 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 highly, benefiting from 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 additional week with him, however there's no indicator in the house that he's not fresh - he seems actually well in himself," said the Welsh fitness instructor.
"I believe Saturday will be really intriguing and we'll type of learn what level he's at, I think. I 'd rather discover 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 much better and draw out a bit more improvement, but at the very same time Haydock has great old straight and I think you have actually got to have a great stayer around there once the track's on the slow side."
Trainer Rebecca Curtis at Fairyhouse (Damien Eagers/PA)
Reflecting on his reappearance win over the smaller obstacles, Curtis added: "I wouldn't state I was absolutely stunned by it, as I understood he was extremely well in your home and I understood he 'd improved a bit. Seeing the way he was taking a trip and jumping, I stated after a couple of furlongs 'I believe he's going to win this'. I simply get that sensation with him.
"He absolutely 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've basically just tossed 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, however he absolutely looks sharper."
In 2015's Betfair Chase saw the Venetia Williams-trained Haydock specialist Royale Pagaille effectively safeguard his crown at the primary cost of Grey Dawning, who is favourite 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 ever want to take anything far from the winner in 2015, however I just felt the conditions got us. I'm definitely not taking anything far from the winner, but I wouldn't have actually minded 10mm (of rain) less.
"The race looks to have a little bit of depth to it and last season we remained in the position some of these will remain in this year, getting out of novice company with some great wins to our name but needing to step up.
"I always feel that is a tough thing to do but if you have Grade One kind, then of course they can and I have a lot of respect for those beginners turning up and likewise 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 incomplete business with the race - we'll be heading there without any reasons."
Another classy amateur 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 ago.
Ben Pauling (ideal) has big expectations for Handstands (Steven Paston/PA)
Pauling is expecting to see a sharper variation of the six-year-old this weekend, stating: "I have more faith in this horse than you could ever imagine - I just believe he has a big engine.
"I'm a realist and I think this is his finest chance of a Grade One this season. In our wildest dreams he might be a Gold Cup horse, however we have to be sincere and say 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 completes the five-strong field.