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 beginner chaser started the project with Cheltenham Gold Cup goals but has actually so far failed to repeat the top-class displays he produced last term, leaving his handler browsing for an efficiency that serves a timely reminder of his ability.


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


"Being reasonable, he has to go and prove himself still this season. His newbie type was as good as anyone's however, and yes he hasn't shown up at a number of the spring celebrations, however there have been authentic reasons.


"He has actually Baie a couple of times (in the Sidney Banks and the Scilly Isles) and he's certainly 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 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 willing to place Handstands on merit, with a myriad of contests possible in the spring.


Pauling included: "He's a lovely 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 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 simply a very great horse with a huge engine and when he is right he is very great, so ideally he'll be quickly right on track."