Pauling hoping Handstands can spring back to form at Wetherby
Charlie Hall contender has some top form in the book as he bids to start season with a win.
Ben Pauling is optimistic he has Handstands in the best possible condition ahead of his reappearance in the bet365 Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby.
The seven-year-old enjoyed a stellar novice campaign that saw him win at Grade Two level in the Esher Chase and the Towton Novices’ Chase before stepping up to the top table to win the Scilly Isles Novices’ Chase.
He failed to reproduce those highs last season in open company, but after a summer off, Pauling reports him in good order as he bids to get back on track this season.
“We’re looking forward to seeing how he gets on,” said the Naunton handler.
“He was fine last season, but he never really hit the heights we were expecting him to. He seems in very good form with himself at home.
“The ground would be on the lively side for him, I think, but then it is going to be the same for everyone.
“Hopefully he can run a nice race and if he can revert back to his form from his novice year – which I think he can – he should be very competitive.”
He added: “He has been in fabulous form, he really has. He’s in as good as form as we could have him for his first run and he will no doubt improve for the run, but he is in a great place to start.
“We’ll see how he goes, and if he stays this trip and he looks like he’s in good form, then we can think about other possibilities in later November and Christmas time.”
Dan Skelton will be double-handed with Pic d’Orhy, second behind Djelo last year, and Riskintheground.
Pic d’Orhy won nine times at graded level for Paul Nicholls before switching to the Alcester trainer over the summer, and Skelton is confident he can give a good account of himself on ground he will relish.
Skelton told Ladbrokes: “Pic d’Orhy has been trained for this race. He was second in it last year when he had a class one penalty. He doesn’t have one this time and is leading on figures.
“I know very little about him as I have only had him this long, but I have watched him in all of his races and he is such a genuine, honest, straightforward horse.
“He likes nice ground and I think he has a great chance. We will go and give it our very best go.”
He added: “Riskintheground is the outsider in the field and I’d imagine that’ll be borne out. He’s not competitive in handicaps right now because he is too high (in the ratings). He has a great spring and then has to suffer the rest of the year, but that’s his way of life and we can’t argue.”
Nicholls himself has two contenders in Twinjets and Hitman as he attempts to equal Nigel Twiston-Davies’ record of six Charlie Halls.
Twinjets moves out of handicaps after winning at Fontwell, Newbury and Ayr’s Scottish Grand National meeting, while Hitman eyes a second Grade Two success after taking the Old Roan Chase at Aintree 12 months ago
The six-strong field is completed by Patrick Neville’s The Real Whacker, who won the race two years ago and warmed up with victory in first-time blinkers in a Perth handicap chase last month.
Neville said: “We could not be happier with The Real Whacker. The blinkers sharpened him up at Perth, so he will have those on again, and it looks like the ground will be ideal for him as well.
“I think it looks a competitive Charlie Hall, but winnable at the same time. We know our lad enjoys the track and we think he is in great form, so fingers crossed he can run a big race.”