Paul Townend replaces Sean Bowen on Haiti Couleurs at Down Royal
Willie Mullins' stable jockey steps in for the Grand National winner's regular rider at Saturday's Champion Chase.
Paul Townend is set to partner Welsh and Irish Grand National winner Haiti Couleurs in the BetVictor, Remembering Envoi Allen Champion Chase at Down Royal on Saturday, according to the PA News Agency and reporting by Jon Lees for Mirror UK via AOL. Willie Mullins' principal jockey will deputise for the nine-year-old's regular rider, Sean Bowen, who is committed to Wetherby for trainer Olly Murphy, where he partners Strong Leader and others. Townend previously teamed with Welsh trainer Rebecca Curtis to win the 2015 Cheltenham Festival with Irish Cavalier. "Paul Townend is going to ride him and he's not a bad replacement," Curtis said, adding that Bowen had been keen to ride but had prior commitments. Haiti Couleurs won the Welsh Grand National at Christmas and added the Denman Chase, but failed to make an impact in the Cheltenham Gold Cup and Grand National in the spring. He captured the Irish Grand National in spring 2025. Priced as low as 7-2 by some bookmakers, he could face Ryanair Chase winner Heart Wood and Gordon Elliott's Romeo Coolio. Curtis said the horse "summered really well" and has returned "big and strong."