Haiti Couleurs leads all the way to Grade One glory at Down Royal
Rebecca Curtis-trained nine-year-old wins the Champion Chase under Paul Townend, beating Fleur In The Park by nearly five lengths.
Haiti Couleurs made all the running to claim Grade One honours in the BetVictor, Remembering Envoi Allen Champion Chase at Down Royal, according to RTÉ. Ridden for the first time by Paul Townend — deputising for Sean Bowen, who was required at Wetherby — the nine-year-old was sent straight to the front, with Banbridge for company in the five-runner field. Gordon Elliott's 11-8 favourite Romeo Coolio was the first of the principals beaten two furlongs out, while the 8-1 Haiti Couleurs stayed on strongly to finish four and three-quarter lengths clear of Fleur In The Park. Trainer Rebecca Curtis said the win, for the Irish and Welsh National hero, was "brilliant," adding that the horse "is always good fresh" and that connections had targeted Down Royal about a month ago. Curtis noted the ground was not ideal but praised the horse finding "a second wind." She said future targets could include the Denman Chase (Grade Two) at Newbury, with Townend suggesting the Grand Steeple-Chase at Auteuil. Townend said the race "isn't targeted by Willie [Mullins], as a rule," so he "always wanted to have a good crack at it."