Haiti Couleurs adds surprise flavour to Irish Gold Cup possibles list

Haiti Couleurs has been given the “option” of heading to Leopardstown to derail Galopin Des Champs’ quest for history in the Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup, after the Welsh Grand National hero was one of three British-trained entries for the Grade One events at the Dublin Racing Festival.

All eyes will be on Willie Mullins’ home favourite as he bids to rack up a record fourth-straight success in the feature event on day one of the popular two-day meeting.

However, the dual Cheltenham Gold Cup champion will have a point to prove having surrendered his Savills Chase crown over the Christmas period, with Haiti Couleurs’ trainer Rebecca Curtis not afraid of crossing the Irish Sea for her stable star’s final appearance before Prestbury Park in March.

Curtis, who made a successful raid on the Irish Grand National with her nine-year-old last year, said: “We just wanted to give him options, we were wondering what might actually run in Ireland and what the ground might be doing over here, because we’ve had this horrible period with the frost.

“It gives another option for three or four weeks’ time to get a prep run in before the Cheltenham Gold Cup, hopefully. He’s come out of Chepstow well and we’re really happy with him.

“Peter Roe who used to be involved with Fairyhouse and is now with Leopardstown rang me to say he thought it would be worth putting the entry in, why not? He sort of gave me the idea.

“We’ll see how the race ends up looking like and the owners absolute love going over to Ireland. It’s a race with great prize-money and although we’re not making plans yet, it’s an option.”

Alongside Galopin Des Champs, Mullins is responsible for nine of the 20 entries, with last year’s second and third Grangeclare West and Fact To File both in the mix, the latter given the chance to return to his sublime Ryanair winning exploits after faltering at Kempton Park on Boxing Day.

Gaelic Warrior is another leading player from Closutton having played his part in an all-time Classic King George VI Chase over the Christmas period, with the mare Spindleberry in contention after making it five on the bounce at Doncaster recently.

Noel Meade’s Affordale Fury will attempt to back up his Savills Chase heroics, with Christmas runner-up I Am Maximus another Mullins contender engaged and Martin Brassil’s race regular Fastorslow also a notable name.

Toby Lawes’ Challow Hurdle runner-up Klimt Madrik will represent Britain in the opening Nathaniel Lacy & Partners Solicitors Novice Hurdle which has received 37 entries, while impressive course winner Narciso Has looks to set the standard among 16 in the Gannon’s City Recovery & Recycling Services Juvenile Hurdle.

It is Supreme Novices’ Hurdle winner Kopek Des Bordes that jumps off the page in the other Grade One on the card, the Goffs Irish Arkle Novice Chase, with the exciting six-year-old poised for just his second start over the larger obstacles after a setback curtailed an outing over the festive period.

Potential rivals could include stablemate and fellow Cheltenham Festival winner Kargese who dazzled over the track and trip at Christmas and Eddie and Patrick Harty’s Racing Post Novice Chase runner-up Irish Panther.

The winner of that race, Gordon Elliott’s Romeo Coolio, is engaged but seems likely to run over further on the Sunday instead.