From 25/1 to 14/1: Haiti Couleurs and the Road to Aintree

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Nine months out from Aintree, one name already has punters talking, and it’s not either of the last two Grand National winners.

When you scan the early markets for next spring’s Grand National, one horse leaps off the page: Haiti Couleurs. That in itself is intriguing, but when you realise he’s trading shorter than the last two champions, you start to sit up straighter.

Nick Rocket, who recently stormed home in April, is sitting further back in the betting while I Am Maximus, the 2024 winner, is even longer. That’s striking given both come from Willie Mullins’ powerhouse yard, a stable that usually dominates the staying‑chase scene.

For anyone who’s followed recent editions at Aintree, that feels significant.

Why Haiti Couleurs Should Be Catching Your Eye

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Taking a closer look at the odds, Haiti Couleurs is at 14/1 in the ante‑post lists, a price you can access when you bet on racing at Betmaster in the lead up to the Grand National. You might also notice a smaller figure shown just beneath – 25/1. That’s not another option to back him at; it’s the old price he was trading at before the market reacted to his recent form.

In other words, he’s been backed in from 25/1 to 14/1, a clear sign that confidence around him is growing.

Now, compare it with Nick Rocket at 16/1 and I Am Maximus at 20/1 and you start to see why there’s a buzz building. Of course, it’s important to remember that odds aren’t guarantees, but they’re a reflection of sentiment and form and in this case, a feeling that Haiti Couleurs has more to offer.

From Cheltenham to Fairyhouse and Still Climbing

If you follow the jumps scene, you’ll know the eight-year-old gelding has been carving out a reputation for relentless stamina. Back in March at Cheltenham’s National Hunt Chase, he turned a testing three‑mile‑six‑furlong marathon into what looked like a casual canter on day one. Sent off at 7/2, he settled beautifully, conserved his energy and when jockey Ben Jones asked him to go, he responded with a finishing kick that had the rest gasping for air. Jones quite fittingly summed it up afterwards as “a walk in the park.”

Five weeks later, Haiti Couleurs travelled to Fairyhouse for the Irish Grand National, which is a Grade A showdown with a field that included hardened stayers and a few horses better fancied in the build‑up. Sent off at 13/2, he again showed patience and class: bided his time, stayed out of trouble and then produced a surge that left rivals scrambling. In the end, he held off Now Is The Hour and fended off a gutsy late rally from Any Second Now, winning by over three lengths.

For you as a punter looking for clues, those back‑to‑back performances matter. They show consistency, resilience and a temperament that copes with pressure. Most crucially, however, is that horses who handle Fairyhouse often translate that grit to Aintree, where the fences are unique and the crowd is deafening.

What Aintree Demands and Why Haiti Couleurs Might Thrive

If you’ve ever been to Aintree for Grand National day, you know the place crackles with energy. The big fences – Becher’s Brook, The Chair, the Canal Turn – can unravel even the most experienced chasers. The old adage says that you’re not just backing a horse; you’re backing a mind and a motor that can handle chaos and there’s no shortage of that on Grand National day at Aintree.

That’s where Haiti Couleurs comes into his own. He’s not just a strong stayer; he’s a clever jumper. Watch his Cheltenham replay and you’ll notice how he meets each obstacle with balance, not panic. At Fairyhouse, he showed the same calm rhythm over fences that often separates a National hero from a gallant also‑ran. These races are as much about staying out of trouble as they are about being well placed, and you might say Haiti Couleurs has that all‑important sense of knowing where to be.

The Rebecca Curtis Factor

It’s also worth noting who trains Haiti Couleurs. Rebecca Curtis has a knack when it comes to unearthing staying talent. She built her reputation bringing through horses from the point‑to‑point scene, shaping raw jumpers into polished competitors.

While Curtis’ yard in Pembrokeshire might not have the scale of a Mullins operation, it has something just as important: patience. Simply put, this is a trainer who knows how to place a horse and how to peak them for the day that matters.

Looking Ahead to Next April

Of course, the Grand National is never a straight line. There are prep races to come, winter ground to contend with and a field that will keep changing right up until declarations. But when you weigh up what you’ve seen so far, it’s hard to argue against Haiti Couleurs being at the top of the conversation.