Pauling Wants Handstands To Blossom In Fleur De Lys

Ben Pauling is wanting 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 project with Cheltenham Gold Cup aspirations but has actually so far failed to duplicate the top-class display screens he produced last term, leaving his handler browsing for an efficiency that serves a of his capability.


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


"Being sensible, he has to go and prove himself still this season. His amateur type was as good as anyone's however, and yes he hasn't turned up at a number of the spring festivals, however there have actually been real excuses.


"He has actually beaten Jango Baie a couple of times (in the Sidney Banks and the Scilly Isles) and he's undoubtedly an Arkle winner who has actually advance once again this season and we were running a charming 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 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 place Handstands on benefit, with a myriad of contests possible in the spring.


Pauling added: "He's a beautiful horse and we want keep our options open and I won't simply 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 excellent.


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