Pembrokeshire-based trainer Rebecca Curtis will be hoping that her horse, Haiti Couleurs, will be among the top contenders for April’s Grand National.

Aintree hosts the most famous horse race in the world, with the Festival getting underway on Thursday, 9th April, before climaxing with the Grand National at 4 pm on Saturday, 11th.

A total of 34 runners and riders are once again set to take part, and punters can already make their selections for the big day by checking out the latest odds for all the 2026 Grand National runners.

Can Haiti Couleurs bounce back at the 2026 Grand National?

Rebecca Curtis trained Haiti Couleurs heads to Aintree off the back of an impressive 12 months.

He ended last season by winning the Irish Grand National – a race which has seen a number of its winners go on to perform well at the English version of the race in subsequent years.

Victory in the Irish National was followed by another win at the start of the current jumps season, before he saw off his rivals to take the Welsh National over the Christmas period.

After finishing first in the Denman Chase at Newbury, there was optimism that the nine-year-old could become only the second Welsh-trained horse to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Ridden once again by local jockey Sean Bowen, Haiti Couleurs could not carry his form into the famous race. Curtis’ horse led for much of the race, but was ultimately pulled up once the pace quickened, acting as a rare setback for Curtis.

Despite the disappointment at Cheltenham, Curtis will be confident that her horse can produce in the upcoming four-mile, two-and-a-half furlong marathon.

How Haiti Couleurs ranks against the favourites

Currently, bookmakers have the Pembrokeshire-trained horse at 16/1 to add his name to the Grand National’s roll of honour. Haiti Couleurs has been given a weight of 11 stone 10 pounds to carry, putting him among the top end of the handicap.

The odds generally place Curtis’ gelding sixth among the 34 runners, leaving the horse as a genuine contender in the bid for a Grand National win.

Jonjo O’Neill-trained Johnnywho has been handed a similar chance of success, having recently won the Ultima at Cheltenham this year, but connections face an anxious wait as two other horses must withdraw before he’ll make the final 34.

Jagwar, who finished second in the same race at Cheltenham, has been handed slightly better odds at 12/1, as has Iroko, who finished fourth in the 2025 Grand National. 

However, bookmakers expect the top two competitors to be the Willie Mullins-trained pair, Grangeclare West and I Am Maximus. The former finished third in last year’s event and most recently won the Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse. 

Meanwhile, the 2024 winner, I Am Maximus, followed up that win with a second-place finish in 2025. He’s been given the top weight of 11 stone 12 pounds – a handicap that would make him the heaviest winner of the race since Red Rum in 1974, should he emerge victorious.

Wood N Waves festival to feature competitions, live music and free entry

A NEW surf and skate festival will kick off the summer season in Pembrokeshire this May as Rwts Rooms and Resto hosts its “Wood N Waves” weekend in Broad Haven.

Taking place on Saturday and Sunday, May 9 and 10, the event promises a mix of sport, music and community spirit, with organisers building on the strong response to last year’s concept launch.

The weekend will include surf and skate competitions, lessons for beginners, and open riding, alongside a dedicated skate ramp set up for the event.

Live music and food will also be on offer, creating what organisers describe as a “start of season party” for locals and visitors alike.

Importantly, entry to the event will be free, with organisers keen to make the weekend accessible to everyone.

A spokesperson for Rwts Rooms and Resto said they were “stoked” to officially launch Wood N Waves after the positive feedback received last year.

They added that further details, including schedules and competition information, will be announced soon.

The event is expected to draw crowds to Broad Haven as Pembrokeshire’s coastal communities prepare for the busy summer season.

A FORMER BBC Radio 1 and Radio 2 presenter has been dismissed by the broadcaster following allegations relating to his personal conduct, with police confirming that the complainant at the centre of a historic investigation was under the age of sixteen.

Scott Mills, aged 53, was previously questioned by officers from the Metropolitan Police in 2018 in connection with allegations of serious sexual offences said to date back between 1997 and 2000.

The investigation, which began in 2016 following a referral from another force, was later closed in May 2019 after the Crown Prosecution Service concluded there was insufficient evidence to bring charges.

Police have now confirmed that the individual at the centre of the allegations was under sixteen at the time.

A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police said the case involved “allegations of serious sexual offences against a teenage boy”, adding that a man in his forties at the time was interviewed under caution before a full file was passed to prosecutors.

No charges were brought.

BBC confirms departure

The BBC confirmed on Monday that Mills is no longer working for the corporation, but declined to provide further detail on the reasons behind his departure.

A spokesperson said: “While we do not comment on matters relating to individuals, we can confirm Scott Mills is no longer contracted to work with the BBC.”

It remains unclear whether the historic police investigation played any role in the decision.

BBC News understands that senior leadership at the time of the investigation, including then Director General Tony Hall, were not aware of the allegations.

Mills has been approached for comment.

Shock exit from flagship show

Mills had most recently presented the Radio 2 breakfast show, taking over from Zoe Ball in January 2025, and had worked for the BBC for more than 25 years.

His final appearance on the programme was on Tuesday (March 24), signing off with “Back tomorrow.” He did not return to air the following day.

Fellow presenter Gary Davies stepped in to cover the slot, alongside overnight DJ OJ Borg, as the broadcaster considers a longer-term replacement.

Colleague Jeremy Vine described the news as “a terrible shame” and said the development had come as a shock to staff.

Former Radio 1 presenter Nihal Arthanayake urged caution, telling ITV that while concern must remain for any alleged victim, “there is a human being – well, there’s two human beings – at the centre of this.”

High-profile career

Mills joined Radio 1 in 1998 and became one of the station’s most recognisable voices, later moving to Radio 2 in 2022. He also hosted the Official Chart Show and appeared on television programmes including Strictly Come Dancing and Comic Relief.

As one of the BBC’s highest-paid presenters, his sudden departure is likely to raise further questions for the corporation, which has faced intense scrutiny in recent years over safeguarding and conduct issues involving on-air talent.

The Herald understands that further details surrounding the circumstances of his departure have not yet been made public.