Pauling Wants Handstands To Blossom In Fleur De Lys

Ben Pauling is aiming 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 actually up until now stopped working to duplicate the top-class display screens he produced last term, leaving his handler looking for an that serves a timely pointer of his capability.


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


"Being realistic, he has to go and prove himself still this season. His newbie kind was as great as anyone's though, and yes he hasn't turned up at a number of the spring festivals, however there have been authentic reasons.


"He has beaten Jango Baie a couple of times (in the Sidney Banks and the Scilly Isles) and he's clearly an Arkle winner who has advance once again this season and we were running a beautiful 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 already 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 place Handstands on benefit, with a myriad of contests possible in the spring.


Pauling included: "He's a charming horse and we desire keep our alternatives open and I will not simply line him up in a Gold Cup for the hell of it. But if he plays himself into the equation and becomes a live outsider or something, then that's great.


"He has a Ryanair entry and he'll also have a National entry and he's just an extremely good horse with a big engine and when he is right he is great, so ideally he'll be soon right on track."