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 aspirations however has actually up until now stopped working to duplicate the top-class display screens he last term, leaving his handler searching for an efficiency that serves a timely suggestion of his capability.


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


"Being practical, he has to go and show himself still this season. His beginner type was as good as anybody's however, and yes he hasn't shown up at a couple of the spring festivals, however there have been authentic excuses.


"He has actually beaten Jango Baie a couple of times (in the Sidney Banks and the Scilly Isles) and he's clearly an Arkle winner who has actually advance again this season and we were running a beautiful race in the Betfair (Chase at Haydock) before he carried 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 wants to position Handstands on merit, with a myriad of contests possible in the spring.


Pauling added: "He's a lovely 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 equation and becomes a live outsider or something, then that's terrific.


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