'It's hard to argue the performance was not that of an elite chaser' - how far can Haiti Couleurs go after another National win?

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This was a Welsh Grand National like no other.

It was not just because Haiti Couleurs won off a monster weight – 1lb higher than carried by future Gold Cup hero Native River, albeit he was 1lb lower in the official handicap – but the victory was achieved on good to soft ground.

The Welsh National is traditionally an event for the mud-lovers and big, slow chasers, but the winner is a completely atypical winner of the race. Haiti Couleurs has a brilliant way of attacking his fences and he will always be hard to beat when he gets into his rhythm, unlike at Haydock when he simply did not turn up in the Betfair Chase.

He doesn't just jump and stay, he battles as well and those attributes will hold him in excellent stead for the Gold Cup. Sunday's clash between Galopin Des Champs and Inothewayurthinkin will likely determine who will go off favourite this season, but there are increasingly fewer legitimate question marks surrounding Haiti Couleurs.

He already has Cheltenham form, courtesy of his National Hunt Chase victory in March, and stamina will be no issue – which will not be the case for those who emerged into the Gold Cup picture in the King George.

• 'This really tops things off' - Sean Bowen's dream run continues as he guides Haiti Couleurs to record weight-carrying win 

So it boils down to whether Haiti Couleurs' form in big staying handicaps stacks up against the established Graded performers. It is hard to argue Saturday's performance, under the weight, is not that of an elite chaser so he has to be considered a major player come March.

He could also be a likely pace angle in the race, with Sean Bowen admitting he is hard to hold back when he wants to lead. There is every chance he will set a good tempo and also jump well. We already know he will be a hard horse to pass and 16-1 is a more than fair each-way price.

Grand National (Aintree, April 11)
Ladbrokes: 8 Iroko, 14 Haiti Couleurs, 16 I Am Maximus, Nick Rockett, 20 Captain Cody, Myretown, Lecky Watson, 25 bar.

Cheltenham Gold Cup (March 15)
Ladbrokes: 7-2 Inothewayurthinkin, 5 Galopin Des Champs, 8 The Jukebox Man, Jango Baie, Gaelic Warrior, 12 Fact To File, 14 Grey Dawning, 20 Banbridge, 25 bar.

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