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 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 comeback victory over hurdles at Newbury little over a fortnight back, a go back 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 highly, making the most 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 terrific shape, it's an embarassment we've not got an additional week with him, but there's no indication in the house that he's not fresh - he appears actually well in himself," said the Welsh fitness instructor.


"I believe Saturday will be really interesting and we'll kind of discover what level he's at, I guess. I 'd rather learn this side of Christmas, since (then) you kind 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 match him a bit better and highlight a bit more improvement, however at the same time Haydock has excellent old and I think you've got to have a great 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 barriers, Curtis added: "I wouldn't state I was totally stunned by it, as I understood he was really well in your home and I knew he 'd enhanced a bit. Seeing the way he was travelling and leaping, I stated after a few furlongs 'I think 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 basically just thrown whatever at him to freshen him up instead of stacking loads of work into him, so I can't inform you much off his home work, however he definitely looks sharper."


In 2015's Betfair Chase saw the Venetia Williams-trained Haydock professional Royale Pagaille successfully defend his crown at the chief expense of Grey Dawning, who is preferred to go one much better 12 months on, with his fitness instructor 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 said: "I 'd never ever wish to take anything away from the winner last year, however I simply felt the conditions got us. I'm absolutely not taking anything away from the winner, but I would not have minded 10mm (of rain) less.


"The race wants to have a bit of depth to it and last season we remained in the position some of these will remain in this year, stepping out of amateur business with some excellent wins to our name but requiring to step up.


"I constantly feel that is a tough thing to do but if you have Grade One form, then of course they can and I have a great deal of regard for those amateurs coming up and likewise a great deal of regard for Venetia's horse.


"I would love to start this year with a Grade One and I feel there is a little bit of unfinished service with the race - we'll be heading there without any reasons."


Another elite beginner from last season bidding to prove himself in open company 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 (best) has huge expectations for Handstands (Steven Paston/PA)


Pauling is expecting to see a sharper variation of the six-year-old this weekend, saying: "I have more faith in this horse than you might ever envision - I simply believe he has a big 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, but we need to be sincere and state by March things will be a lot hotter once again and this needs to be our best possibility of a Grade One - we'll try to take it."


Gordon Elliott's Irish raider Stellar Story completes the five-strong field.