"Bowen gave another demonstration on Haiti Couleurs of what is now his trademark ability to seize the initiative in a race and not let go. His mount was a little free behind the pace on the first circuit, and despite his big weight and the distance still left to travel, Bowen did not hesitate to allow him to stride on into the lead."
"It is seven years and counting since Native River became the last horse trained in Britain to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup, but the beleaguered home team has conceivably emerged from the first two days of the Christmas programme with not one, but two realistic contenders for next year's race, after Haiti Couleurs put up a magnificent performance to win the Welsh Grand National here under 11st 13lb on Saturday."
"and the initial reaction from bookmakers was to cut his price to complete a Grand National treble at Aintree in the spring. Paddy Power make him a 14-1 chance (from 20-1) for the world's most famous steeplechase, but he also has a Cheltenham festival win on his record in the National Hunt Challenge Cup last season a race in which Native River finished second in his novice season"
Haiti Couleurs won the Welsh Grand National under 11st 13lb, producing a dominant front-running performance that left rivals behind. Trainer Rebecca Curtis prepared the eight-year-old, ridden by local champion jockey Sean Bowen, who seized the initiative early and maintained the lead. The victory marked Haiti Couleurs' second National success after the Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse and followed a Cheltenham Festival win in the National Hunt Challenge Cup. Bookmakers shortened his Grand National odds to 14-1 with Paddy Power, and his quoted 33-1 for the Cheltenham Gold Cup may shorten as connections and punters reassess his prospects.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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