Pauling Wants Handstands To Blossom In Fleur De Lys

Ben Pauling is aiming to Handstands to show his quality when he heads to Windsor for the Fitzdares Fleur de Lys Chase on Sunday.


The Grade One-winning amateur chaser began the campaign with Cheltenham Gold Cup goals but has up until now working to repeat the top-class display screens he produced last term, leaving his handler searching for a performance that serves a timely tip of his capability.


"He seems in good form with himself, looks a photo and has had a wind op so I would like to think he will run an excellent race in the Fleur de Lys," stated Pauling.


"Being reasonable, he has to go and show himself still this season. His amateur kind was as great as anyone's though, and yes he hasn't turned up at a couple of the spring celebrations, but there have actually been genuine excuses.


"He has actually beaten Jango Baie a number of times (in the Sidney Banks and the Scilly Isles) and he's clearly an Arkle winner who has actually stepped forward again this season and we were running a lovely race in the Betfair (Chase at Haydock) before he lugged left in the home straight."


Handstands has entries for both the Ryanair Chase and Gold Cup at the Cheltenham Festival, with Pauling currently holding a strong hand in the blue riband with his King George VI Chase hero The Jukebox Man.


Handstands is poised for Windsor on Sunday (David Davies/PA)


With that in mind he is ready to place Handstands on benefit, with a huge selection of contests possible in the spring.


Pauling included: "He's a lovely horse and we desire keep our alternatives open and I won't just line him up in a Gold Cup for the hell of it. But if he plays himself into the formula and becomes a live outsider or something, then that's terrific.


"He has a Ryanair entry and he'll likewise have a National entry and he's just a really nice horse with a huge engine and when he is right he is great, so hopefully he'll be quickly right on track."