Two-time National winner Haiti Couleurs is expected to take his chance in the 2026 Grand National next month, according to his trainer Rebecca Curtis.
Despite failing to complete in the Cheltenham Gold Cup (pulled up), Curtis has indicated she is still keen to aim the horse at the Merseyside marathon on April 11th.
As her 9yold looks to add the Aintree Grand National to his Welsh and Irish National wins.
Haiti Couleurs Eyes Famous Grand National Treble
Haiti Couleurs landed last season’s Irish Grand National, which proved the final outing of a campaign that saw him win four of his six starts — including a victory at the 2025 Cheltenham Festival.
He then added a second National win, when taking the Welsh version in 2025 over Christmas at Chepstow.
Earth Summit was the last horse to win the Welsh National and Grand National in the same season (1997-98).
While I Am Maximus was the last horse to take both the Irish and Aintree races (2023 and 2024).
Despite not completing the Gold Cup (watch below), the 9 year-old has won three of his five starts this season.
Having also won over hurdles at in November and taking the Denman Chase in February – both at Newbury.
However, both of his runs at Grade One level have ended with him being pulled up.
But his trainer Rebecca Curtis appeared far from discouraged by what she saw in the Gold Cup.
Speaking to Sky Sports Racing, Curtis said
“I’m really keen to go to the Grand National with him.”
“I think he may have given Sean [Bowen] the feeling of ‘flat’, but it was quick ground and he’s a proper stamina horse — there was no good-to-soft in it.
“I actually thought the horse ran well for the day. But perhaps he gave that impression because he was always just slightly outside his comfort zone.
“That’s probably why he didn’t finish as strongly — he was going a shade quicker than he’d like. It was proper good ground and about 11 seconds fast.”
"I'm keen to go to the Grand National with him!"@rebcurtis offers her assessment on Haiti Couleurs, who may now head for the big one on Merseyside…@MCYeeehaaa pic.twitter.com/qsCkTYLbbR
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) March 15, 2026
Curtis also hinted that a tilt at Aintree’s famous marathon could now be firmly on the agenda.
“Obviously I’ll have to chat it through with the owners,” she added.
“He seemed really well afterwards — not fresh exactly, but I expected him to be very tired and off his food the next morning. Instead he went straight into his breakfast.
“It’s probably a more suitable race for him, isn’t it — the National. He’s a real marathon horse.
“We’ll see how he is over the next few weeks, but if he keeps feeling fresh and well then you definitely couldn’t rule it out.”
Haiti Couleurs Career In Numbers
- Age: 9
- Runs: 16
- Wins: 9
- Chase Wins: 6
- £463,271
Haiti Couleurs Grand National Weight
The 2026 Grand National weights were released on February 17th – and regardless of how horses perform since, these weights can’t now be changed.
Haiti Couleurs, who will be having his first run in the Aintree Grand National and also over the National-style fences, has been handed 11st 10lbs.
Last year’s winner Nick Rockett shouldered 11st 8lbs, while the last winner to carry 11st 10lbs or more was Red Rum, who won with 12st in 1974.
2026 Grand National Date 🗓️
The 2026 running of the Grand National will take place on Saturday 11th April 2026 at Aintree Racecourse in Liverpool.
The race is traditionally run at 4:00pm (BST) and is the highlight of the three-day Grand National Festival.
The full 2026 Aintree Festival schedule is expected to run as follows:
- Day 1 – Thursday 9th April 2026
- Day 2 – Friday 10th April 2026
- Day 3 – Saturday 11th April 2026
Run over 4 miles 2½ furlongs and featuring 30 famous fences, the Grand National remains the most famous steeplechase in the world and one of the biggest betting events in British sport.
With the race also shown LIVE on the ITV Racing schedule.
WATCH: Haiti Couleurs Winning Both Irish and Welsh Grand Nationals In 2025
Irish Grand National 2025: Haiti Couleurs
Welsh Grand National 2025: Haiti Couleurs
Last 10 Grand National Winners 🏆
- 2025 Nick Rockett – (Patrick Mullins/Willie Mullins)
- 2024 I Am Maximus – (Paul Townend/Willie Mullins)
- 2023 Corach Rambler – (Derek Fox/Lucinda Russell)
- 2022 Noble Yeats – (Sam Waley-Cohen/Emmet Mullins)
- 2021 Minella Times – (Rachael Blackmore/Henry de Bromhead)
- 2019 Tiger Roll – (Davy Russell/Gordon Elliott)
- 2018 Tiger Roll – (Davy Russell/Gordon Elliott)
- 2017 One For Arthur – (Derek Fox/Lucinda Russell)
- 2016 Rule The World – (David Mullins/Mouse Morris)
- 2015 Many Clouds – (Leighton Aspell/Oliver Sherwood)
(The 2020 race was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.)
Grand National-winning jockeys and trainers are also listed in brackets.
Grand National Betting Odds 2026 💰
- I Am Maximus – 10/1
- Grangeclere West – 10/1
- Haiti Couleurs – 12/1
- Jagwar – 12/1
- Iroko – 12/1
- Johnnywho – 16/1
- Montys Star – 20/1
- Oscars Brother – 25/1
- Captain Cody – 25/1
- Panic Attack – 25/1
- Nick Rockett – 28/1
- 33/1 BAR
Note: Grand National betting odds 2026 are subject to change
WATCH: Nick Rockett Winning The 2025 Grand National 📺
