Haiti Couleurs' Irish Grand National Triumph Underscores Rebecca Curtis Revival And Class Of Sean Bowen

Haiti Couleurs joined the greats in Welsh jump racing as he beat the Irish on home soil to capture the Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse on Monday.

Trained by Rebecca Curtis, in the picturesque town of Newport on the Pembrokeshire coast, and ridden by Welshman Sean Bowen, he pulled off a mighty front-running effort to beat the veteran Any Second Now and claim the €500,000 prize.

It completes an incredible season for Haiti Couleurs which started with defeat at Chepstow in October. 
He proved a revelation throughout the campaign, winning at Aintree and Cheltenham before thrashing his rivals to become a Cheltenham Festival winner in the National Hunt Chase.

The eight-year-old was sent off 13-2 on Monday and never looked in doubt as he jumped bravely out in front with contenders from the Willie Mullins, Gordon Elliott and Henry de Bromhead stables unable to reel him in.

Curtis has had an extraordinary season and bounced back from some quiet years.

She had the likes of At Fishers Cross, O'Faolains Boy, Teaforthree, Joe Farrell and Lisnagar Oscar at her stable but winners dropped off and she completed a renovation at her yard in order to return to the top table.

It has proved a huge success as she has doubled her domestic tally of winners and her Irish Grand National victory is possibly her biggest yet.

"He's just so tough," said Curtis of Haiti Couleurs. 

"I was a little bit worried as he likes to jump his way to the front and all the time. I thought I hope he wasn't doing that too much. After the second last I got excited and I knew he'd keep going after the second-last. 

"We went a bit wild when he won. I'm a bit speechless now. It's amazing and a massive boost for the yard.

READ MORE: Sean Bowen Has Grand National Glory on His Mind . . . With Support From Chepstow

"Could you ever imagine he can become a Gold Cup-type horse? He's not slow, I know he's won over three [miles] five [furlongs] in his last two races but he doesn't need to have that trip. He loves Cheltenham, too."

Haiti Couleurs could now be a contender for the Grand National or even the Cheltenham Gold Cup next season.

Bowen set to be crowned champion

The brilliant ride from Sean Bowen also gave him the biggest moment in his career but it will not last for long.

On Saturday he will be crowned champion jockey for the first time in his career and become the first Welshman to lift the title since Dick Francis in 1954.

Bowen finished second to Harry Cobden in a close-run title race last season but has set the pace in the championship for a long time with a tally of over 170 winners and 30 clear of second-place Harry Skelton.

The Pembrokeshire rider had a winner at Cheltenham in the week and advertised exactly why he is going to be champion when riding a fantastic five-timer at Ffos Las on Thursday.

Next week’s blog will be dedicated to his incredible rise and season.

Williams in form

There was Welsh success at Cheltenham’s final meeting of the season as Ask Brewster won for Adam Wedge and Evan Williams in the 3m4f handicap chase.

The six-year-old has shown major improvement this term and completed a double after winning at Chepstow in March. 
His trainer hopes there will be more to come as he could emerge as a Scottish Grand National horse next season.

The trainer wrapped up a great Easter with doubles at Newton Abbot on Saturday and Chepstow on Monday.

Muscutt gears up for good season

Daniel Muscutt, the adopted Welshman, is getting set for the official start of the Flat season next weekend and proved he has two exciting regular rides at Newcastle.

He partnered Glittering Legend to beat some fancy types in the Listed Burradon Stakes and he could have a wealth of options through the summer.

READ MORE: Welsh Hopes For Irish Grand National Carried By Rebecca Curtis And Haiti Couleurs

Although a three-year-old, he is a gelding so will not be able to line up in the Classics.

Muscutt also guided Wonder Legend to a dominant win in the All-Weather Championships Marathon for the same trainer, James Ferguson in Newmarket.

That rival was made 15-2 second favourite for the Chester Cup by Welsh bookmaker DragonBet.