Haiti Couleurs Grinds Out Grade 1 Win in Champion Chase at Down Royal
Rebecca Curtis-trained chaser returns to form under Paul Townend, making all the running to win by nearly five lengths.
Haiti Couleurs returned to form with a Grade 1 success in the BetVictor, Remembering Envoi Allen Champion Chase at Down Royal on Saturday, according to Sporting Life and other outlets. Trained by Rebecca Curtis and ridden by Paul Townend, the chaser was sent off at 8/1 despite the withdrawal of morning line favourite Heart Wood. Haiti Couleurs made practically every yard of the running in the three-mile contest, leading the field down the back straight for the final time. The race was affected by weather, with two fences in the home straight dolled off due to low sun, leaving a long run-in. Townend, standing in for Sean Bowen, sent the horse on roughly seven furlongs from home. Despite a late challenge from Banbridge, Haiti Couleurs held on to win by four and three-quarter lengths, with Fleur In The Park nabbing second close home. The 11/8 favourite Romeo Coolio, trained by Gordon Elliott, finished fourth, 28 lengths further adrift. A previous winner at the Cheltenham Festival and of the Irish and Welsh Grand Nationals, Haiti Couleurs is now a Grade 1 winner for the season. Curtis said the horse 'almost deserves it,' while Elliott indicated Romeo Coolio would likely be dropped in trip.