Couleurs collects in Champion Chase at Down Royal Haiti Couleurs galloped his rivals into submission as he made all for a gutsy success in the Grade 1 BetVictor, Remembering Envoi Allen Champion Chase at Down Royal this afternoon. The English raider took them along in the three-miler but looked like he might be a sitting duck turning for home as Romeo Coolio and Fleur In The Park loomed up behind him. Rebecca Curtis’s charge refused to back down though and answered every call for Paul Townend. Romeo Coolio’s stamina appeared to give out as they bypassed the second last fence while Fleur In The Park cried enough passing the last. Banbridge, who had been under pressure in fourth turning for home, stayed on to give chase but couldn’t lay a glove on the convincing winner. Fleur In The Park rallied late to grab second at the line but was four-and-three-quarter lengths behind the commanding 8/1 winner. It was a first top level success for last year’s Welsh National winner, and former Irish National hero. Curtis said: "We decided on it about a month ago. Obviously, with his rating now he is out of handicaps. He was quite hard to place. "It is a great experience coming here, the owners love it. "That was brilliant. He is always good fresh. "If you are ever going to go for a Grade One, now would be the time before the Mullins brigade and a few others are out. "That's what we thought (make it a test off the front). I just thought at certain points in the race if he was happy or travelling as well as he can, but he found a second wind. "The ground wouldn't have been ideal, not because he doesn't go on it, but it doesn't play to his strengths. "It is nice to know that he can do that and go that speed in a Grade One. We were scratching our heads with the Gold Cup, but I don't think he was himself that day - Sean (Bowen) swears he wasn't. and his coat was yellowy. At least now we can pinpoint certain races and give him loads of time. "I would definitely look at the Denman Chase (Grade 2, Newbury) again with him. Paul has actually suggested Auteuil, the Grande Steeple-Chase would really suit him, so that might be a target. "Obviously, Paul used to come over and ride a lot of mine years ago. We've always had quite a good relationship and when we knew we couldn't have Sean, you wouldn't get a better replacement." Townend told Racing TV:- “This race isn’t targeted by Willie, as a rule nearly, so I always wanted to have a good crack at it. “Kemboy ran a cracker in it a couple of years ago. I thought that Sean (Bowen) has a lot of commitments and that the ride might be going spare. “He looked to be at his best when he was fresh and I thought it was a race that might work out. “Rebecca, when she puts her eye on a prize like that, she isn’t too far away either. “I went around Ffos Las and a few places, a few years ago now, on horses of hers and they just don’t stop galloping. “When she’s happy with them they are fit and healthy. She does really well with her string, give her a horse and she’s able to train it. “Walking it I thought the ground was probably going to be a little bit quick for him, and that it would suit the sharper horses. “I was actually surprised when I got up on him and cantered him to the start. I thought looking at him on TV, and riding against him, that he was a much heavier horse but he floated away down to the start. “I was quite happy when we got below, he was full of himself and I thought that was a good sign.” When it was put to him that he looked in trouble for a moment he added:- “That was the jockey! When the jockey got his second wind, I don’t think I’ve ever sent a horse as far from home here in my life and stayed going. “He’s honest, he’s genuine, and a galloper. He’s really good fresh. “Sure I suppose they’re here because he’s going to be hard to campaign but he’s a Grade 1 winner now this season. “She’ll plot a plan with him. I’m sure there are a few different options and she might think outside the box a little bit with him as well.” The second last and last fences were omitted due to low lying sun. (Additional reporting by Michael Graham)
