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Pembrokeshire trainer aims to strike blow for Wales ahead of Wales-England match

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WALES’ best racehorse and leading Pembrokeshire trainer Rebecca Curtis can both strike a blow in the heart of English territory on Saturday, just a couple of hours before Wales run out at Twickenham.

Two hours before kick-off in the Six Nations clash, Haiti Couleurs, trained at Newport, Pembrokeshire by Curtis and ridden by Welsh champion jockey Sean Bowen, lines up for the William Hill Denman Chase, taking on some of the best staying chasers England and Ireland can offer.

As Wales attempt to upset England in west London, Curtis, Bowen and Haiti Couleurs are aiming to do much the same at one of England’s premier racecourses, Newbury.

Haiti Couleurs has become a flagbearer for Welsh racing over the past year, elevating his profile with a sequence of performances that have pushed him firmly into the Cheltenham Gold Cup picture.

The nine-year-old chaser has won four of his last five races and has been entered for both next month’s Gold Cup as well as April’s Aintree Grand National.

Over Christmas, Haiti Couleurs delivered one of the standout Welsh sporting moments of the winter by romping to victory in the Coral Welsh National at Chepstow, giving Curtis her first success in the race.

Curtis – whose partner and training yard manager is former Ospreys star David Bishop – believes Haiti Couleurs continues to improve with every outing.

“He’s been truly amazing for the yard and he just keeps delivering,” said Curtis.

“He just seems to get better and better with every run. I think the fact he went on that nicer ground (in the Welsh National) just shows he has got that bit of class; it wasn’t an old slog in the mud.

“He’s won most of the handicaps he’s run in, so he just keeps going up and up and we’d like to try him now in graded company because he’s probably at the top-end of running in those staying handicaps and giving all that weight away.”

Saturday’s Denman Chase represents a major test.

Haiti Couleurs was originally set to travel to Ireland for the Irish Gold Cup last weekend, but concerns over travel and ground conditions prompted a rethink, with Curtis opting instead for Newbury.

“It’ll be very interesting on Saturday and going forward to the Gold Cup,” she said.

“He’s always been ridden handily or made the running, so I don’t think it really matters there are less runners.”

After a number of withdrawals due to the heavy conditions, only four horses will go to the start line, but the quality remains high.

Having given an Irish Sea crossing a miss last week, Curtis added: “I am happy that the ground is going to be fairly soft and testing, so at least his stamina should come into play.

“It’s a completely different test but he’s got good form around Newbury.”

The Irish Gold Cup only strengthened her belief that staying at home was the right call.

“Watching the Irish Gold Cup I was delighted we made the decision we made, there were too many question marks going into it for us with the travel and the ground, then watching it I thought they finished very tired horses.

“It just looked an old slog and I’m glad we stayed away for it.”

Haiti Couleurs is 4/6 for the Denman Chase with Welsh bookmakers DragonBe and remains a 10/1 chance for the Cheltenham Gold Cup, and Curtis confirmed that remains the ultimate aim.

“Providing he runs a good race this Saturday, even if he was to get beat but runs a good race, we’ll still end up going for the Gold Cup,” she said.

“I think you have a track that he absolutely loves, he loves going up and down hills, plus the extra two furlongs. I do think it takes a real stayer to the win the Gold Cup and whatever happens Saturday, providing it’s not horrendous, we’ll definitely be going to Cheltenham with him.”

 

Sport

Pupils try new sports at Community Clubs event

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More than 100 children took part in a day of sport at Ysgol Glannau Gwaun

MORE than 100 pupils from Years 4, 5 and 6 enjoyed a day of sport and activity at a Community Clubs event held at Ysgol Glannau Gwaun earlier this month.

The event, organised by Sport Pembrokeshire and sponsored by Valero, gave young people the chance to try a range of sports delivered by local clubs.

Activities included archery and golf sessions led by Young Ambassadors from Ysgol Bro Gwaun, as well as rugby with Fishguard & Goodwick RFC, hockey with Fishguard & Goodwick Hockey Club, and bowls with Fishguard & Goodwick Bowls Club.

The event was designed to encourage participation, build confidence, and strengthen links between schools and community sports clubs, helping pupils discover new ways to stay active outside school.

Dan Bellis, from Sport Pembrokeshire, said: “This was the second year we have run this event and, as with last year, it was great to see so many children taking part and being active.

“A big thanks to all the students for their enthusiasm, to the local clubs for their support and delivery, and to the Young Ambassadors for being excellent role models.”

 

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Narberth U11s continue winning form with victory over Haverfordwest

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NARBERTH CRICKET CLUB’S Under-11 side produced another impressive performance on Monday evening, defeating Haverfordwest in a closely contested junior fixture.

Batting first, Narberth posted 95-3, which translated to a net score of 280 under junior cricket scoring rules. Haverfordwest replied with 77-11, finishing on 222 after losing wickets throughout their innings.

Poppy Phillips top-scored for Narberth with 17 runs, helping to anchor the home side’s innings.

The bowling attack proved decisive, with Danny Evans returning figures of 3-12 and also contributing seven runs with the bat. Archie Young claimed 1-9 and scored seven runs, while Charlie Morton (1-4), Kai De Silva (1-7), Morgan Rees (1-8), Lewis Roberts (1-10) and Tommy Phillips (1-12) all chipped in with wickets.

The victory continues a strong season for Narberth’s young cricketers, who have shown both depth in batting and discipline in the field.

A photograph shared by the club after the match showed a smiling Narberth squad celebrating the win in the evening sunshine.

Photo caption:

Victorious Narberth U11s after their win over Haverfordwest (Pic: Narberth Cricket Club).

 

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Sport

Adam Muskett memorial football tournament returns to Tenby

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Annual event will honour popular young footballer while raising funds for Wales Air Ambulance

FOOTBALLERS, friends and families from across Pembrokeshire will come together next month to celebrate the life of a much-loved local sportsman at the second Adam Muskett Memorial 7-a-side Tournament.

The event, organised by Tenby AFC, will take place at The Clicketts Playing Fields on Saturday, July 25, bringing together teams for a day of football, remembrance and fundraising in memory of Adam Muskett.

Adam, 27, tragically lost his life alongside his girlfriend, Katie Worrell, 25, in a road traffic collision in June 2024. The tournament was established by his football club as a lasting tribute to his passion for the game and the impact he had on those around him.

Last year’s inaugural event proved a great success, raising £620 for Wales Air Ambulance. Following the positive response from players, supporters and the wider community, Tenby AFC has committed to making the tournament an annual fixture.

Recently, Adam’s parents, Helen and Andrew Muskett, joined Tenby AFC secretary Gareth Noot in presenting a cheque to Wales Air Ambulance Regional Fundraising Manager Mike May.

Speaking ahead of this year’s tournament, Helen and Andrew said: “As a family, we are extremely grateful to Gareth and the members and players at Tenby AFC for setting up this tournament as a tribute to Adam, and for all their support over the last two years.

“In particular, Gareth has been amazing and has worked incredibly hard, in such a respectful and considerate way, to support us in this and other matters.

“Last year’s tournament was such an enjoyable day, and we want to thank everyone who attended or contributed in any way. We especially want to thank the participating players, the referees, and those who helped at the entrance and with refreshments. It was wonderful to see so many families there.

“It really was a very special day that meant an awful lot to us as a family and a fitting tribute to Adam, who was passionate about football.”

Supporting a lifesaving charity

The family said they were keen for Wales Air Ambulance to remain the main beneficiary of the fundraising efforts.

They added: “We wanted Wales Air Ambulance to benefit from the funds raised because they helped Katie at the time of the collision, and Adam would have wanted them to be the first benefactor of the tournament.

“Our heartfelt thanks go to everyone involved, and we hope the tournament will continue for many years to come.”

Wales Air Ambulance is a consultant-led service that brings hospital-standard emergency care directly to patients across Wales. Working in partnership with the NHS Emergency Medical Retrieval and Transfer Service (EMRTS), its crews can provide advanced critical care at the scene of an incident, including anaesthesia, blood transfusions and minor surgical procedures.

Mike May, Regional Fundraising Manager for Wales Air Ambulance, said: “It’s humbling to hear that Adam’s club, family and friends will continue to come together to hold an annual tournament in his memory. It’s a touching tribute.

“We are deeply grateful that Adam’s family has chosen to support Wales Air Ambulance through this tournament following the care provided at the time of the collision.

“We hope as many people as possible support this event in honour of a very popular young man who was passionate about football.”

Teams invited to enter

The tournament is open to registered senior men’s football clubs. Each squad can register up to ten players and the entry fee is £50 per team.

Organisers are hoping for another strong turnout and a day that not only celebrates football, but also keeps Adam’s memory alive while supporting a charity that provides lifesaving care throughout Wales.

For more information or to enter a team, email [email protected] or call 07815 189374.

Photo caption: Helen and Andrew Muskett with Gareth Noot, Secretary of Tenby AFC, and Mike May of Wales Air Ambulance during the cheque presentation following last year’s tournament fundraising success.

 

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