It did not possess the sheer relentlessness of last weekend’s Irish showcase, the final day of significant trials nevertheless offered additional optimism that Ireland's runners won't enjoy a complete monopoly next month.
Gold Cup Contender Emerges
Haiti Couleurs, a new British-trained hopeful with short prices, bolsters the ranks for the Gold Cup on March 13th. He stands alongside other leading lights including The Jukebox Man and Jango Baie.
Meanwhile, the undefeated five-year-old Lulamba is now the near-certain favourite for the novice championship by preserving his unblemished form over fences with a win in the Game Spirit Chase.
A Surprise Package Annihilates the Field
Perhaps the most remarkable display was delivered by Tutti Quanti, who took the feature handicap apart carrying the heaviest burden. This performance suggested a genuine contender for championship honours may have emerged almost from nowhere.
“He is simply a big, backward horses who has been physically improving and progressing all the time,” commented the handler. “I still think there is more to come from him. He's annihilated them.”
The front-running Tutti Quanti was clearly going far better than his rivals entering the straight and he defied both his weight and the testing conditions. He extended his lead right up to the line, ending up a stunning 15 lengths clear.
Flawed but Effective Victories
Neither Haiti Couleurs nor Lulamba as perfect during their successes. The Welsh Grand National winner jumped cautiously at a few obstacles, and Lulamba's inexperience showed during the contest before he picked up the leaders. Yet each did just enough on deep, demanding ground, avoiding a costly effort to leave their festival chance behind.
The 2018 winner was the last UK-trained winner of sport's biggest chase. Haiti Couleurs, though, heads to the festival with a decent chance to snap both streaks and add a signature victory for pilot Sean Bowen.
Jockey’s Ambition
Bowen is the reigning champion and is so far clear this season that retirement now would still leave him as the likely champion. For all his winners, he has yet to enjoy still eludes him.
“He will be a horse that three-miles-two at the course and the famous incline is ideal,” stated the jockey. “Whether he’s good enough after the back of the last we don’t know, but he’ll definitely be there pitching turning in.”
Market Movements
After his victory, Lulamba was trimmed to favouritism for the Arkle Trophy. In other trials, Steel Ally has been backed into 10-1 for the Arkle after a comfortable success in the Kingmaker Novice Chase.
Sunday's planned jumps meeting called off, the only action in the UK will take place the all-weather track at Chelmsford.
