3 minute read
Ben Pauling’s talented Handstands ran out a commanding winner of the rearranged DragonBet Towton Novices’ Chase at Ffos Las on Saturday.
A commanding winner of the Grade 2 Esher Novices' Chase over three miles at Sandown last time, Handstands proved the drop back to two and a half to be no issue when scorching away from his rivals to continue an excellent run for the Ben Pauling and Ben Jones combination.
Always towards the fore under Jones, who enjoyed a first Grade 1 success when steering The Jukebox Man to victory for Pauling at Kempton over Christmas, Handstands jumped well throughout alongside market rival Cherie D'Am.
Dan Skelton's mare dropped out like a light after Handstands struck the front and from there on in, victory never looked in doubt for Ben Pauling's charge, drew clear from Lord Of Thunder up the run-in to prevail by nine lengths in taking fashion.
The runner-up did well to claim the silver medal spot after being hampered badly by the falling Range, while Cherie d'Am, Hillcrest and Saint Davy all failed to finish.
All horses and jockeys were reported to walk away unscathed.
"I was delighted, and we were learning plenty as we have never run on that tacky, holding, hard-work ground before," said Pauling when speaking to the PA. "I've heard the reaction, and some people suggested he was a bit novicey, but I think he was just learning to get out of the ground to be honest and making too much effort and ballooning a couple as a result.
"Ultimately, he has done it very well and Ben was delighted with how he jumped after he ballooned the ditch and it's another step in the right direction. It looked a competitive enough field on paper, and I know there was some misfortune at the third-last, but I think they were all coming to the end of their tether and it was probably why they fell.
"I was really quite taken with how well he was going turning for home, he just quickened off the bend and sort of put the race to bed and after the last, he somehow quickened again.
"Ben said he finished the race as fresh as a daisy and doesn't think he has had an overly-hard race which is quite extraordinary considering the ground there today. I'm just delighted and it's another step on the road for a nice, progressive young novice chaser."
A trip to Sandown for the Grade 1Virgin Bet Scilly Isles Novices' Chase on February 1st now looks on the cards. "It's a quick enough turnaround for the Scilly Isles, but that would very much be on our minds if he comes out of this in good form," added Pauling.
"The Radfords have never been overly fussed by going to Cheltenham with him this year, they are not trying to avoid it, but they think the Scilly Isles and possibly Aintree might be the way forward and I can't say I disagree.
"If we manage to get to the Scilly Isles in good form, he will have been busy enough and will be his fourth run of the season and that and on to Aintree could round up a lovely season for him really."
