In a stunning display of stamina and grit, the horse Haiti Couleurs secured a famous home victory in the Coral Welsh Grand National at Chepstow on Saturday. The eight-year-old gelding, carrying a mammoth weight of 11st 13lb, powered to success for Welsh trainer Rebecca Curtis and champion jockey Sean Bowen.
A Front-Running Masterclass at Chepstow
The victory was a masterclass in bold, front-running tactics from the in-form jockey. Sean Bowen, who had been narrowly denied in the King George VI Chase just 24 hours earlier, seized the initiative early. Despite the testing conditions and the considerable burden on his back, Haiti Couleurs was allowed to stride into the lead on the first circuit and never saw another rival.
His relentless gallop from the front drew immediate comparisons with Native River's win in the same race in 2016. That victory was a precursor to Native River's Cheltenham Gold Cup triumph 15 months later, a feat no British-trained horse has repeated since 2018. Haiti Couleurs' commanding performance, holding off O'Connell in the closing stages, has now thrust him into the conversation for next year's Blue Riband event at the Cheltenham Festival.
Gold Cup and Grand National Dreams Await
This was the second 'National' victory of Haiti Couleurs' career, following his triumph in the Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse in April. Bookmakers were quick to react, slashing his price for a historic Grand National treble at Aintree in the spring. Paddy Power now offer him at 14-1 (from 20-1) for the world's most famous steeplechase.
However, the Cheltenham Gold Cup is also a tantalising prospect. With a Cheltenham Festival win already on his CV from last season's National Hunt Challenge Cup, connections are eyeing the bigger prize. He was introduced at 33-1 for the Gold Cup, a price that may not last long if the target is confirmed.
A Emotional Home Victory for Welsh Connections
For trainer Rebecca Curtis and jockey Sean Bowen, the win held profound personal significance. It was a first Welsh National success for both, achieved with a locally-trained horse. Curtis, based in Pembrokeshire, and Bowen, who hails from nearby, celebrated a deeply emotional victory.
"I'm absolutely delighted to get him back," said Curtis, referencing a disappointing prior run at Haydock. "He's done that so well and aggressively today, he outclassed them. I'm Welsh, Sean's Welsh and most of my staff are and it's a really prestigious race we have wanted to win for many years."
Bowen added to the sentiment, revealing a close personal connection: "Becky actually used to babysit me a bit as a kid, so to do it for Becky is a bit like doing it for family. It means so much. These are the races you want to win."
The victory not only provides a thrilling highlight for the home team but also offers genuine hope that the long wait for a British-trained Gold Cup winner could be nearing its end. With The Jukebox Man's King George win also in the ledger, the Christmas racing programme has delivered two serious home contenders for the season's ultimate prize.
