Ex-Osprey's success in new career in front of Welsh sporting royalty

FORMER Ospreys star David Bishop is looking ahead to Cheltenham Festival or Aintree Grand National glory after he and his partner, trainer Rebecca Curtis, savoured a thrilling Coral Welsh Grand National triumph at Chepstow.

- GRAHAM THOMAS

Haiti Couleurs who won Welsh racing’s showpiece event at the weekend with Welsh champion jockey Sean Bowen on board is now being aimed at the Gold Cup at Cheltenham in March and the Grand National at Aintree.

Bookmakers were quick to react to the double Welsh triumph for Curtis and Bowen trimming Haiti Couleurs' odds to just 14-1 for the Grand National in April and 33-1 for the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Comparisons are now being drawn with Native River, who followed his Welsh National triumph in 2016 with Gold Cup glory four months later.

"It’s just a fabulous feeling to be involved with such a fantastic horse," said Bishop, 42, who ended his rugby career prematurely through injury and now works as stable yard manager at his partner Curtis’ Pembrokeshire training base.

"Haiti Couleurs managed to win carrying a record [handicapped] weight for a Welsh Grand National, which just shows how good a horse he is and what a job Becky has done.

"I think he's well capable now of going on to win even bigger races.

"These are the days you live for in racing it's as good a feeling as anything I experienced on a rugby field."

A total attendance of 9,425 packed into Chepstow on Saturday for the festive jamboree an increase of 11 per cent on 2024 and the biggest crowd the race has attracted since 2016.

Welsh sporting royalty Sir Gareth Edwards and cycling legend Geraint Thomas were among the racegoers.

They were rewarded with wild celebrations as the dragon roared loudly Welsh trainer Curtis and Bowen completing a hugely popular local double.

West Wales neighbours in their younger days, Bowen revealed their first team effort together was when Curtis used to be the jockey's babysitter!