Cheltenham Gold Cup hopes hinge on Haiti Couleurs’ comeback
Rebecca Curtis’ nine-year-old Haiti Couleurs, fresh from wins in the Denman Chase and the 2025 Irish Grand National, is being aimed at the cheltenham gold cup after a career-threatening tendon injury that cost him almost 18 months out of action. His late development and recent staying-chase form now mark him among the 2026 favourites and focus attention on Welsh training at the Festival.
Haiti Couleurs’ recovery arc
Haiti Couleurs struck straight into his tendons when he was ready to run over hurdles at Chepstow and needed the best part of 18 months off, a layoff that preceded his first race under rules at Chepstow in December 2023. The pattern suggests that enforced time on the sidelines allowed the gelding to mature: Curtis noted he had always been a weak, backward horse and that the break may have been the making of him.
Cheltenham Gold Cup prospects
More than three decades have passed since a Welsh-trained horse won the Cheltenham Gold Cup, and Haiti Couleurs’ wins in the Denman Chase, the Welsh Grand National and the 2025 Irish Grand National place him among the 2026 favourites. The figures point to a clear staying-chase profile: he won the Welsh Grand National carrying the largest weight in that race’s history, and his National Hunt Chase victory at Cheltenham last year first drew widespread attention.
Ben Jones on Meetmebythesea
On a separate Festival note, Ben Jones has two rides on day three of Cheltenham Festival 2026 and previewed his mounts, including Meetmebythesea, which Jones says has had preparation including wins at Wetherby and Ayr and a run in the Game Spirit at Newbury. Jones wrote that “I think he’s got a very good chance, ” and noted Meetmebythesea is favourite for the 2. 00 race; his other ride, Classic King for Emma Lavelle, finished fourth when last at Cheltenham and is intended for the Pertemps.
That said, jockey commentary from Jones and Curtis converges on form and handling: Curtis highlighted Sean Bowen’s view that Haiti Couleurs improves each time he rides him, while Jones emphasised race experience from runs at Newbury, Wetherby and Ayr. The pattern suggests contemporary jockey feedback is shaping market expectations and tactical choices for Festival rides.
For now, the next confirmed development is Ben Jones’ two rides on day three of Cheltenham Festival 2026; if Haiti Couleurs reproduces his Denman Chase and Irish Grand National form on the Festival track, the data suggests he will move from favourite status to a genuine Gold Cup contender and strengthen Rebecca Curtis’ bid to add an English National to her list of Welsh, Scottish and Irish national victories.
