A Gold Cup and Grand National double? Excited Rebecca Curtis maps out ambitious campaign for 'the best chaser we've had'

Sean Bowen roars in celebration after winning the Irish National on Haiti Couleurs

Haiti Couleurs: could bid for Gold Cup-Grand National double in 2026Credit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Rebecca Curtis is exploring the possibility of targeting Haiti Couleurs at the Cheltenham Gold Cup and Grand National this season as she compared her stable star to festival hero Native River.

The eight-year-old was one of the horses of last season, landing the National Hunt Chase at the Cheltenham Festival before a dominant front-running performance in the Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse broke an 11-year drought for the visitors.

Officially rated 152, he tops the ante-post market for the 2026 Grand National at 16-1. But Curtis hopes he can continue to progress into a Gold Cup contender too. His first test outside handicap company over fences will come in the Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby on November 1.

Read the full story

Read award-winning journalism from the best writers in racing, with exclusive news, interviews, columns, investigations, stable tours and subscriber-only emails.

Subscribe to unlock

Racing Post digital newspaper (worth over £100 per month)
Award-winning journalism from the best writers in racing
Expert tips from the likes of Tom Segal and Paul Kealy
Replays and results analysis from all UK and Irish racecourses
Form study tools including the Pro Card and Horse Tracker
Extensive archive of statistics covering horses, trainers, jockeys, owners, pedigree and sales data

Already a subscriber?Log in

James StevensWest Country correspondent

Published on 16 September 2025inBritain

Last updated 19:04, 16 September 2025

Copy