Townend to Ride Haiti Couleurs in Down Royal Champion Chase

Paul Townend is set to ride Haiti Couleurs in the BetVictor, Remembering Envoi Allen Champion Chase at Down Royal on Saturday, according to RTÉ and AOL (Mirror UK). Willie Mullins' number one jockey will deputise for the nine-year-old's regular pilot Sean Bowen, who is required at Wetherby for trainer Olly Murphy. Townend previously linked up with Welsh handler Rebecca Curtis for Cheltenham Festival success with Irish Cavalier in 2015. Curtis said Bowen was keen to ride but has commitments elsewhere, including Strong Leader at Wetherby, adding: "At least we have a great replacement and it's nice to have Paul back on board one of mine." Haiti Couleurs won the Welsh Grand National at Christmas and added the Denman Chase, having also captured the Irish Grand National in the spring of 2025. He failed to land a blow in the Cheltenham Gold Cup and Grand National in the spring, but Curtis is hopeful of a resurgence. The horse was quoted as short as 7-2 with some bookmakers for a race that could also feature Ryanair Chase winner Heart Wood and Gordon Elliott's Romeo Coolio. Curtis said the horse "summered really well" and has "come back in big and strong."