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It did not possess the non-stop parade of last weekend’s Irish showcase, the final day of significant trials still provided additional optimism that Ireland's runners won't enjoy a complete monopoly next month.

Blue Riband Hopeful Emerges

Haiti Couleurs, a new British-trained hopeful with short prices, bolsters the lineup for the Gold Cup on March 13th. He stands alongside other leading lights such as The Jukebox Man and Jango Baie.

In other news, the undefeated youngster Lulamba is now the near-certain favourite for the Arkle Trophy by preserving his unblemished form over fences with a win in the Game Spirit Chase.

A Handicap Star Wins with Ease

The truly remarkable display was delivered by Tutti Quanti, who took the day's big handicap apart carrying the heaviest burden. This run hinted that a genuine contender for championship honours could have surfaced almost from nowhere.

“He’s just one of those 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 obviously going far better than the competition entering the straight and he defied the heavy impost and the strength-sapping ground. He extended his lead all the way to the line, finishing a remarkable 15 lengths clear.

Flawed but Effective Wins

Both winners could be described as perfect in victory. Haiti Couleurs jumped cautiously at a few obstacles, while Lulamba’s inexperience showed mid-race before he picked up the leaders. Yet each did no more than necessary in tough conditions, when it would have been easy to leave their festival chance behind.

The 2018 winner was the last British-trained winner of the Gold Cup. Haiti Couleurs, though, heads to the festival with a decent chance to end those droughts and secure a signature victory for his jockey Sean Bowen.

Jockey’s Ambition

Bowen is the reigning champion and holds such a lead this season that retirement now would still leave him as the likely champion. Despite his prolific numbers, he has yet to enjoy a victory at the Cheltenham festival.

“He will be a horse that three-miles-two at the course and the famous incline will really suit him,” Bowen said. “If he has the class in the closing stages 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 two-mile novice chase. Elsewhere, a rival contender is now around 10-1 for the same race following an easy win at Warwick.

With Newcastle’s jumps meeting abandoned, the only action in the UK will take place the synthetic surface at Chelmsford.