Haiti Couleurs Lands Grade 1 Champion Chase at Down Royal
Rebecca Curtis-trained chaser makes almost all under Paul Townend to win by nearly five lengths in Ireland.
Haiti Couleurs returned to winning form with a Grade 1 success in the BetVictor Remembering Envoi Allen Champion Chase at Down Royal on Saturday, October 31, 2026, according to Sporting Life and other outlets covering the Ladbrokes Festival of Racing. Trained by Rebecca Curtis and ridden by Paul Townend, the horse was sent off at 8/1 and made practically every yard of the three-mile contest, winning by four and three-quarter lengths. Fleur In The Park took second, pipping Banbridge close home, while 11/8 favourite Romeo Coolio, trained by Gordon Elliott, finished fourth, 28 lengths further adrift. The meeting was affected by quick ground and by two fences in the home straight being dolled off due to low sun, leaving a long run-in. A previous winner at the Cheltenham Festival and of the Irish and Welsh Grand Nationals, Haiti Couleurs led the field in single file down the back straight before grinding out the win. Townend, standing in for Sean Bowen, was recording his first success in the race. Curtis told Racing TV the reception was "absolutely amazing," and indicated the Denman Chase and potentially the Grand Steeple Chase at Auteuil could feature later in the season.