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 staying department after the Betfair Chase at Haydock on Saturday.


The Rebecca Curtis-trained eight-year-old won four of his five novice starts over fences last season, rounding of his project 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 success over difficulties at Newbury little over a fortnight earlier, 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 favourite HAITI COULEURS remains on strongly, benefiting from a mistake 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 great shape, it's a shame we've not got an extra week with him, but there's no sign in your home that he's not fresh - he seems really well in himself," said the Welsh fitness instructor.


"I think Saturday will be truly intriguing and we'll sort of discover what level he's at, I guess. I 'd rather discover this side of Christmas, because (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 little bit better and bring out a bit more improvement, but at the same time Haydock has great old straight and I believe 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)


Assessing his reappearance win over the smaller barriers, Curtis included: "I would not state I was completely shocked by it, as I knew he was effectively in the house and I knew he 'd enhanced a bit. Seeing the method he was taking a trip and leaping, I stated after a couple of furlongs 'I believe he's going to win this'. I simply 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've worked him hard. I have actually essentially just tossed whatever 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 Haydock specialist Royale Pagaille effectively defend his crown at the primary expenditure of Grey Dawning, who is preferred to go one much better 12 months on, with his trainer Dan Skelton admitting 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 want to take anything away from the winner in 2015, however I just felt the conditions got us. I'm absolutely not taking anything away from the winner, however I would not have actually minded 10mm (of rain) less.


"The race seeks to have a little depth to it and last season we remained in the position a few of these will be in this year, getting out of amateur business with some good 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 respect for those novices showing up and likewise a great deal of respect for Venetia's horse.


"I would like to start this year with a Grade One and I feel there is a little bit of incomplete service with the race - we'll be heading there with no reasons."


Another high-class 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 three weeks earlier.


Ben Pauling (best) has big expectations for Handstands (Steven Paston/PA)


Pauling is anticipating to see a sharper version of the six-year-old this weekend, stating: "I have more faith in this horse than you could ever think of - I simply believe he has a substantial engine.


"I'm a realist and I think this is his finest opportunity of a Grade One this season. In our wildest dreams he might be a Gold Cup horse, but we need to be truthful and state by March things will be a lot hotter again and this has to be our finest possibility of a Grade One - we'll try to take it."


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