I visited Rebecca Curtis and Haiti Couleurs - here's how I could see his season panning out

Rebecca Curtis has mapped out the season for her stable star Haiti Couleurs, with both the Gold Cup and Grand National a possibility in the spring. James Stevens takes a dive into potential targets and pros and cons ahead of Cheltenham and Aintree after visiting the Irish Grand National winner.

First up: Charlie Hall Chase

This is the likely starting point, according to Curtis, and it looks like the logical early season platform.

He is not a guaranteed Graded-level horse yet – he still has a bit to prove, although he did look destined for it when a tremendous winner of last season's National Hunt Chase and Irish Grand National.

The Real Whacker: won last year's Charlie Hall ChaseCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Winning is not everything, though. Haiti Couleurs has been beaten on his first run in the last two seasons, so a good effort could be enough to keep the Gold Cup dream alive. A sharp three miles at Wetherby is also far from ideal for this relentless galloper.

Where next? Coral Gold Cup or Betfair Chase?

This is the conundrum. With a rating of 152 and already more big-field handicap experience than most second-season chasers, surely the £250,000 Coral Gold Cup has to be considered. He is 12-1 second favourite with William Hill and three miles two furlongs at Newbury going a good pace could be perfect.

However, the Betfair Chase could be a very appealing opportunity to go for a Grade 1. The majority of the leading three-mile chasers are in Ireland and who knows who would be heading to Haydock on November 22. Tough, galloping types who handle testing conditions thrive at Haydock, and that's exactly what Haiti Couleurs is.

I think Newbury is the place to go. Curtis compared him to Native River, who was the last Coral Gold Cup to go on and win the big one at Cheltenham.

Native River: won the Gold Cup in 2018Credit: Mark Cranham (racingpost.com/photos)

After that?

The King George was all but ruled out by Curtis, although he might get an entry. Stamina, not speed, is his main asset, so the Boxing Day highlight would not look the best fit.

Given Curtis trains in Pembrokeshire, the Welsh Grand National will attract interest and last season she said he was the "right type" for the race. Such a stamina-sapping test before big spring targets might not be the place to go, though.

Instead, the Cotswold Chase was nominated as a pre-Cheltenham target. A Grade 2 contest over three miles one furlong on a stiff track is possibly the best Gold Cup trial for a horse on the cusp of proving a contender.

Britain's Gold Cup contender?

There is no British-trained horse in the Cheltenham Gold Cup market shorter than 25-1, and Haiti Couleurs could feasibly end up leading the home charge. Level with him at this stage in the bookmakers' pecking order is top novice The Jukebox Man and festival winners Grey Dawning and Caldwell Potter.

Caldwell Potter: British hope for the Gold CupCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Haiti Couleurs might not have the class of a Galopin Des Champs or Fact To File, but his jumping and stamina is already proven, whereas the full extent of his ability is not.

The right Grand National favourite?

The key challenge facing Curtis this season is his handicap mark for the Grand National. The assessor put him up 11lb for his excellent Irish National win and his mark of 152 could continue to creep higher if he holds his own at Graded level.

He would have looked the perfect type for the old National fences, given how neatly he jumps, but that is less important since now they are less challenging. His attitude would hold him in great stead for Aintree, though, as he always seems to find more. It takes a tough horse to win a National, and that is his key characteristic.

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'He must have a massive chance' - Gordon Elliott reveals his best hope of Kerry National glory at Listowel next week 

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