COULEURS THROWS HAIT IN THE RING FOR FESTIVAL GOLD CUP

HAITI COULEURS is expected to cement his Cheltenham Gold Cup claims with victory in the William Hill Denman Chase in Newbury today.

- BY MIRROR REPORTER

The Rebecca Curtis-trained nine-year-old (right) is five from seven over fences, a record which includes big-race triumphs in the National Hunt Chase, the Irish Grand National and the Welsh Grand National

He suffered a rare blip in the Betfair Chase in November, but he is not the first horse to run below form at Haydock and he showed his true colours with an excellent weight-carrying performance at Chepstow in late December and the testing conditions at Newbury should play to his strengths.

With Jango Baie not declared and L’Homme Presse turning out just two weeks after a hard race at Cheltenham, the stage looks set for Haiti Couleurs to claim his first win at this level.