Sean Bowen Backs Haiti Couleurs for Gold Cup Glory After Final Step Safely Taken

Bookmakers DragonBet have responded by installing Wales’ top race horse among the leading contenders for one of National Hunt racing’s biggest prizes.

Fresh from steering the nine-year-old to a decisive seven-length success at Newbury, Wales’ champion jockey Bowen made it clear he feels the demands of the Gold Cup will suit his mount far better than the Denman Chase test, particularly if conditions dry out.

READ MORE: Haiti Couleurs Out to Strike Blow for Wales Ahead of Twickenham

"I was delighted," said the winning rider. 

"He's a bit cold in front, but from the moment something came to me I took off, and from the back of the last he's waiting [for company] again. 

“That'll do me. You could see up the straight how well he jumped.

"He'll be better around Cheltenham over 3m2½f with a big hill than Newbury, so hopefully there's a bit left. Nice good to soft, soft ground is what he wants and hopefully we'll get that."

READ MORE: Haiti Couleurs Skips Ireland and Now Aims for Denman Chase at Newbury

Bowen later expanded on why he feels the Cheltenham test could unlock further improvement, particularly over the Gold Cup trip and up the famous hill.

"He was a bit cold in front on his own and he's never had to make the running right from the start.
 
“He was careful at a few early on and warmed up nicely into it and then actually showed a turn of foot when they came to him and I was surprised how well he quickened.

"He's just a good horse and he makes it easy for you. He's going to be a horse that three-miles-two around Cheltenham and then up the hill will really suit him. 

“Whether he is good enough or not I don't know but everything will suit him on the day.

"He loves Cheltenham which is a big asset to any Gold Cup horse and he will stay all day and jump and he just does things like a good horse. 

“Whether he's good enough after the back of the last we don't know but he'll definitely be there pitching turning in."

READ MORE: Sean Bowen and Haiti Couleurs Confirmed as Cheltenham Gold Cup Contenders

He added: "You want to be riding in Gold Cups and I have only ridden in one and finished fourth, so to finish a few places higher would be nice."

Bowen’s confidence is shared by the betting markets. 

Welsh bookmakers DragonBet now have him at 9/1, reflecting growing belief that Wales could be represented by a serious contender for the blue riband.

Trained in Pembrokeshire by Rebecca Curtis, Haiti Couleurs booked his Gold Cup place with a gritty front-running display in testing conditions. 

Although his jumping lacked some of its usual fluency early on, he found plenty when challenged by L’Homme Presse in the straight, drawing clear late to underline his stamina.

Curtis admitted the Denman Chase had been an anxious stepping stone, given the weight of expectation surrounding her stable star.

"I was delighted with that," Curtis told ITV. 

"I was so nervous coming into this with all the Gold Cup chat and I'm glad it's out of the way. 

“I don't think he was doing a lot in front and, while he's gone through that ground, I don't think he loves it as much as a slightly better surface. It's job done and we can freshen him up now.

"It's really exciting and all systems go for the Gold Cup. He's almost done it the hard way, creeping up the handicap, and hopefully he's earned his place now."

Curtis also believes the Denman Chase confirmed Haiti Couleurs’ right to take his chance at Cheltenham, having already won the National Hunt Chase, the Irish Grand National and this season’s Welsh National.

"There were lots of expectations today and he's gone and shown he must have some sort of chance in the Gold Cup. 

“L'Homme Presse is a really good yardstick and although I'm not saying he's gone and beaten a Gold Cup field, he's done really well.

"I was really nervous and I'm just glad it is out the way. He likes to be ridden positively and we weren't going to change that and just keep it simple.

"I was confident he was more than a handicapper and it's not like he's been beaten in a handicap and you know where their mark is. He's practically unbeaten in handicaps and we still don't probably know where his ceiling is.

"He'll enjoy the Gold Cup trip and he loves going up and down hills and undulating tracks. It was Sean in fact who said how much he loves going fast down hill and he has great balance."