Haiti Couleurs (photographed), who had dazzled at Chepstow over Christmas in the Coral Welsh Grand National, was at it again on Saturday when advertising his claims for Cheltenham Gold Cup glory next month.
The best horse in Wales is trained by Rebecca Curtis in Pembrokeshire and lined up at Newbury in the Denman Chase after a trip to Ireland for another race was aborted recently. In the hands of champion jockey Sean Bowen, the talented nine-year-old was sent straight into the lead and never relinquished that advantage, making all for a comfortable, seven-length victory from L’Homme Presse.
A 5-6 chance, Haiti Couleurs is now as short as 7-1 to win the Gold Cup, although some firms offer 9-1. He is also prominent in the betting for the Grand National, but Cheltenham is first.
A thrilled Curtis said: “There were lots of expectations today and he’s gone and shown he must have some sort of chance in the Gold Cup. L’Homme Presse is a really good yardstick and although I’m not saying he’s gone and beaten a Gold Cup field, he’s done really well.
“I was really nervous and I’m just glad it is out the way. He likes to be ridden positively and we weren’t going to change that and just wanted to keep it simple.
“He’ll enjoy the Gold Cup trip and he loves going up and down hills and undulating tracks. It was Sean in fact who said how much he loves going fast down hill and he has great balance.”
Bowen was buzzing as well and added: “He loves Cheltenham, which is a big asset to any Gold Cup horse and he will stay all day and jump, and he just does things like a good horse.
Whether he’s good enough after the back of the last we don’t know, but he’ll definitely be there pitching turning in.
“You want to be riding in Gold Cups and I have only ridden in one and finished fourth, so to finish a few places higher would be nice.”
Bowen, in line for another title this term, could be back at Chepstow on Friday, when the track’s seven-race card is due to start at 1.40pm. Gates open at 12.10pm and horses from the high-profile stables of Nicky Henderson, Paul Nicholls and Dan Skelton are entered.
The feature race is a novice handicap chase at 2.40pm and The Four Sixes is an interesting contender for that, especially after he demolished his rivals by 16 lengths at Kelso most recently, although Throatlash has won his last three races and would have claims if Donald McCain decided to send him down from his Cheshire base.
Grace Harris, who is local to Chepstow and could also be represented on the bill, was all smiles after Oldbury Lad did the business at Wolverhampton on Friday, while two days before that Caldicot trainer Robert Stephens had seen Port Noir cause a 40-1 surprise at Kempton under apprentice Rose Dawes.
Our next fixture at Chepstow is this Friday 13th February when there are seven races from 1.40pm – there is great value lunch package in The View Restaurant for just £79 per person.
