“I was so nervous”: Curtis and Henderson ignite 2026 Cheltenham dreams in Newbury mud Newbury's Super Saturday card saw Lulamba furthering his Arkle claims while Haiti Couleurs advertised his Gold Cup claims on the same card. There were key races at Warwick and Naas too on a busy afternoon and we're taking a look at three horses that enhanced their Cotswolds claims over the weekend, with the Festival now a little over four weeks away. Job done for Haiti Couleurs team Rebecca Curtis is now counting down the days to the Cheltenham Gold Cup after her stable star Haiti Couleurs won the Denman Chase at Newbury to complete his preparations for the Blue Riband on March 13. Haiti Couleurs won the National Hunt Cup at Cheltenham last season and followed up in the Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse. He produced a game front-running success in the Welsh National at Chepstow over Christmas and once more did his own legwork under champion jockey Sean Bowen at Newbury to win the Denman from L'homme Presse by seven-lengths. Should he do it, he'd become the first Gold Cup winner trained in Wales since Norton's Coin's famous 100/1 upset in 1990. "I was so nervous coming into this with all the Gold Cup chat and I'm glad it's out of the way," said Curtis. "It's job done and we can freshen him up now." Lulamba learning curve pleases Henderson It's been a tough season for owners Joe & Marie Donnelly with both State Man and Sir Gino suffering injuries and, for a few strides, they must have feared another ace in their pack was going to meet a setback in the Game Spirit Chase at Newbury as Lulamba came under pressure. The novice was out of his comfort zone against seasoned rivals and he was being pushed along before four out by Nico de Boinville as the tempo lifted. He briefly looked in some trouble but responded generously and came through to win by six and a half lengths. He's the 11/8 favourite for the Arkle on day one at Cheltenham next month and his connections felt Saturday's race was just what the thrice-raced unbeaten chaser needed. "He needed the experience. That is why we were here. He'll have learned a lot," said Henderson, who has won the Game Spirit at Newbury with future champion chasers Sprinter Sacre and Altior in recent times. "He didn't need a race, but he needed that experience, and going with those older horses who will go a proper good gallop is where he'll learn more." Highland Crystal could sparkle in the Fred Winter Gordon Elliott was delighted to see Highland Crystal maintaining a perfect record over hurdles despite plenty going wrong for her at Naas in the SR Ventilation Supporting Kill GAA Rated Hurdle. Jack Kennedy's mount was forced to make her own running, with the rider suggesting she was 'looking around the whole way'. Elliott felt she was 'tough' in the finish as she looked set to be gunned down by Saratoga and Mark Walsh after the last but rallied well to win. Four of the last seven winners of the Fred Winter at Cheltenham have contested the same Naas contest en route to the Cotswolds. Elliott isn't looking towards anything other than that race at Cheltenham and will be keen to see how the handicapper assesses his Robcour-owned filly. "She's probably more of a Fred Winter filly really but we'll see what mark she gets," said the Cullentra handler.
