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 but has so far failed to repeat the top-class displays he produced last term, leaving his handler searching for a performance that serves a timely reminder of his ability.

“He seems in good form with himself, looks a picture and has had a wind op so I would like to think he will run a good race in the Fleur de Lys,” said Pauling.

“Being realistic, he has to go and prove himself still this season. His novice form was as good as anyone’s though, and yes he hasn’t turned up at a couple of the spring festivals, but there have been genuine excuses.

“He has beaten Jango Baie a couple of times (in the Sidney Banks and the Scilly Isles) and he’s obviously an Arkle winner who has stepped forward again this season and we were running a lovely 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.

With that in mind he is willing to place Handstands on merit, with a plethora of contests possible in the spring.

Pauling added: “He’s a lovely horse and we want 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 great.

“He has a Ryanair entry and he’ll also have a National entry and he’s just a very nice horse with a huge engine and when he is right he is very good, so hopefully he’ll be soon right on track.”