Pauling Targets Windsor Riches With Handstands

Ben Pauling will target the Fitzdares Fleur De Lys Chase at Windsor with Handstands after a minor back issue was determined as the cause of his below-par completing effort in last month's Betfair Chase.


A Grade One-winning beginner last season and directly beaten by Resplendent Grey on his Carlisle return, the six-year-old gone back to the highest level with high hopes on Merseyside, but was eventually well beaten as he passed the post last of 4 finishers.


Pauling was determined that his charge was not at his finest that day and wishes to see him in a much better light at the Winter Million conference on January 18.


"He ached and we have actually had his back arranged out, so we've absolutely identified why he hung up the home directly," stated the fitness instructor.


"We're still most likely going to drop him back in journey in the Fleur De Lys at Windsor. It's a different kind of track, but he's in excellent order, he looks a million dollars and I'm extremely delighted with him.


"I was with the way he went through three-quarters of the race at Haydock and it was uncharacteristic of him to be a weak finisher. I believe now we have actually repaired that we'll remain in a much better place."


Handstands in action at Sandown (John Walton/PA)


More right away Pauling has his eyes on King George VI Chase magnificence with steady star The Jukebox Man, adding: "He could not be much better at the moment.


"You're always anxious about horses that have had injuries, particularly horses with that much capability as you desire them to be OK so much, however he came out of Haydock as well as we could ever have hoped.


"We're beginning to increase his work, it's not long now and we're getting to the phase where we do not need any hiccups, but if we remain in the kind I anticipate to be in I think he's going to be really competitive."