Pauling Wants Handstands To Blossom In Fleur De Lys

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


The Grade One-winning novice chaser started the campaign with Cheltenham Gold Cup goals but has actually so far failed to repeat the top-class display screens he produced last term, leaving his for a performance that serves a prompt suggestion of his capability.


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


"Being sensible, he needs to go and show himself still this season. His novice kind was as excellent as anyone's though, and yes he hasn't shown up at a number of the spring celebrations, however there have been real excuses.


"He has beaten Jango Baie a couple of times (in the Sidney Banks and the Scilly Isles) and he's certainly an Arkle winner who has actually stepped forward once 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 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 merit, with a wide variety of contests possible in the spring.


Pauling added: "He's a beautiful horse and we want 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 terrific.


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