Handstands ‘in great order’ for Warwick if weather relents

Ben Pauling is hoping the weather does not stand in the way as Handstands is primed for the TrustATrader Hampton Novices’ Chase at Warwick this weekend.

The six-year-old, three times a winner over hurdles last season, transitioned to steeplechasing at the beginning of this term but had a luckless first experience when falling at Wincanton in November.

That race was won by Boombawn from subsequent Desert Orchid Chase winner Soul Icon, whereas Handstands dusted himself off to make his second start over fences in the Esher Novices’ Chase at Sandown in early December.

There he was triumphant by three and a half lengths at Grade Two level, jumping beautifully throughout when stepping up to three miles for the first time since his successful point-to-point start as a four-year-old.

“Falling on your chasing debut is not ideal but they went one hell of a gallop at Wincanton and Soul Icon has won the Desert Orchid since, so I think it was a decent race and it just didn’t work out for us at all,” Pauling said.

“I was very pleased to see him come back and jump as well as he did, but I didn’t have any worries myself, as he was always very good at home and jumps fences much better than he did hurdles.”

Pauling is now keen to run the gelding in the Hampton at Warwick on Saturday, but the current challenging weather is not set to ease before the weekend and the meeting could be in doubt.

The Scilly Isles Chase, a step back to two and a half miles, is an option further down the line, as is the three-mile Reynoldstown, as Handstands is proving versatile with regards to trip.

The trainer added: “He’s in great order, he’s been entered today for the Hampton Novices’ Chase at Warwick. Sadly, the going report this morning reads very badly, it’s flooded on the back straight and now it’s about to freeze.

“I suppose if it’s not on, we might just have to run him in a normal novice chase, or we might wait for the Scilly Isles or perhaps the Reynoldstown.

“He’s in very good form with himself anyway, and he’s ready to go. We just need the meetings to be on because he goes in any ground, he’ll handle anything, so that is not an issue.

“He couldn’t be in better shape, he’s been trained for this weekend and I’m very happy with him. Hopefully, he can continue in the same vein and we can get him out soon.”

Warwick’s first obstacle to overcome is the waterlogged track, which then cannot be covered until it has drained and therefore is vulnerable to the forecast minus temperatures later this week.

Nessie Chanter, clerk of the course at the track, said: “The brook has burst its banks following 30mm of rain, so the back straight and the first half of the home straight is underwater.

“Normally, that can retract quite quickly and we’ll do all we can to help the drainage. That is one challenge, the next is the forecast, which looks like it is going to be below zero from tomorrow night onwards, as low as minus two and minus three.

“The forecasts aren’t agreed on where the temperature will lie on Friday night, some say minus two and others are more optimistic at minus one.

“The problem we have at the moment is that we can’t cover any areas of the track which are currently waterlogged – as soon as we are able to, we will do landings, take-offs, crossings and vulnerable areas.

“We are going to give it every chance, but we are facing a lot of challenges at the moment.”