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 remaining division after the Betfair Chase 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 success 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 ago, a return to the Berkshire track for next weekend's Coral Gold Cup was mooted, but he rather steps up to Grade One level on Merseyside.


Big @Sean_Bowen_ drive!


Grand National preferred HAITI COULEURS remains on strongly, taking benefit 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 shame we have actually not got an additional week with him, but there's no indication in the house that he's not fresh - he appears really well in himself," said the Welsh trainer.


"I think Saturday will be really fascinating and we'll kind of discover what level he's at, I think. I 'd rather discover out this side of Christmas, since (then) you type of understand 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 fit him a little bit better and draw out a bit more improvement, but at the exact same time Haydock has great old straight and I think you've got to have a good 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 barriers, Curtis included: "I would not say I was absolutely shocked by it, as I understood he was extremely well in your home and I knew he 'd improved a bit. Seeing the method he was travelling and leaping, I stated 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 since Newbury and he's a bit sharper in his work, not that we've worked him hard. I've basically simply tossed whatever at him to refresh him up rather than stacking loads of work into him, so I can't tell you much off his home work, but he definitely looks sharper."


Last year's Betfair Chase saw the Venetia Williams-trained expert Royale Pagaille effectively safeguard his crown at the chief expense 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 wish to take anything far from the winner in 2015, however I simply felt the conditions got us. I'm definitely not taking anything away from the winner, but I wouldn't 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 a few of these will be in this year, stepping out of newbie company with some great wins to our name however needing to step up.


"I constantly feel that is a hard thing to do but if you have Grade One type, then of course they can and I have a lot of regard for those novices 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 unfinished organization with the race - we'll be heading there without any reasons."


Another high-class novice 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 three weeks ago.


Ben Pauling (right) has big 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 picture - I just think he has a substantial 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 have to be truthful and state by March things will be a lot hotter once again and this needs 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.