Pauling Wants Handstands To Blossom In Fleur De Lys

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


The Grade One-winning newbie chaser began the campaign with Cheltenham Gold Cup goals however has so far failed to duplicate the top-class screens he produced last term, leaving his handler searching for an efficiency that serves a timely suggestion of his ability.


"He seems in good type with himself, looks a picture and has actually had a wind op so I wish to believe he will run a good race in the Fleur de Lys," stated Pauling.


"Being reasonable, he needs to go and show himself still this season. His newbie kind was as good as anybody's however, and yes he hasn't turned up at a couple of the spring celebrations, however there have actually been real excuses.


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


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 wants to position Handstands on merit, with a myriad of contests possible in the spring.


Pauling included: "He's a beautiful horse and we want 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 simply a very great horse with a huge engine and when he is right he is great, so ideally he'll be quickly right on track."