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 beginner chaser began the campaign with Cheltenham Gold Cup goals but has actually up until now stopped working to duplicate the top-class screens he produced last term, leaving his handler looking for an efficiency that serves a prompt suggestion of his ability.


"He seems in excellent form with himself, looks a picture and has actually had a wind op so I want to believe he will run a great race in the Fleur de Lys," said Pauling.


"Being practical, he has to go and prove himself still this season. His newbie type was as excellent as anyone's however, and yes he hasn't shown up at a couple of the spring festivals, but there have actually been authentic reasons.


"He has beaten Jango Baie a number of times (in the Sidney Banks and the Scilly Isles) and he's clearly an Arkle winner who has actually stepped forward once again this season and we were running a charming race in the Betfair (Chase at Haydock) before he carried 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 benefit, with a huge selection of contests possible in the spring.


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


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