Pauling Wants Handstands To Blossom In Fleur De Lys

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


The Grade One-winning amateur chaser started the campaign with Cheltenham Gold Cup aspirations however has up until now stopped working to repeat the top-class displays he produced last term, leaving his handler looking for an efficiency that serves a prompt suggestion of his ability.


"He seems in great form with himself, looks an image and has had a wind op so I would like to believe he will run a great race in the Fleur de Lys," said Pauling.


"Being realistic, he needs to go and show himself still this season. His amateur type was as excellent as anybody's however, and yes he hasn't shown up at a number of the spring celebrations, but there have actually been genuine excuses.


"He has actually beaten Jango Baie a couple of times (in the Sidney Banks and the Scilly Isles) and he's obviously an Arkle winner who has actually advance once again this season and we were running a lovely 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 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 is prepared to put Handstands on benefit, with a huge selection of contests possible in the spring.


Pauling added: "He's a beautiful horse and we desire keep our options 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 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 a really great horse with a big engine and when he is right he is excellent, so ideally he'll be soon right on track."