Pauling Wants Handstands To Blossom In Fleur De Lys

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


The Grade One-winning novice chaser began the campaign with Cheltenham Gold Cup goals however has actually up until now failed to repeat the top-class screens he produced last term, leaving his handler browsing for a that serves a timely tip of his capability.


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


"Being realistic, he needs to go and show himself still this season. His amateur form was as excellent as anybody's though, and yes he hasn't turned up at a number of the spring celebrations, but there have actually been authentic reasons.


"He has actually beaten Jango Baie a number of times (in the Sidney Banks and the Scilly Isles) and he's certainly an Arkle winner who has advance again this season and we were running a beautiful 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 is prepared to position Handstands on merit, with a myriad of contests possible in the spring.


Pauling included: "He's a charming horse and we want keep our choices 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 ends up being a live outsider or something, then that's fantastic.


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