Handstands and Protektorat in Windsor showdown

Ben Pauling expects to have a clearer idea of what the rest of the season has in store for Handstands after he contests the Fitzdares Fleur de Lys Chase at Windsor on Sunday.

The Naunton Downs handler has not made any secret of the regard in which he holds a seven-year-old who was a Grade One-winning novice last season but has come up short in two starts so far this term, with a narrow comeback defeat at Carlisle followed by fourth when quietly fancied for the Betfair Chase at Haydock in November.

Pauling is adamant his charge is better than he showed on Merseyside and hopes he can show his true colours in the feature event on the third and final day of the Winter Million Festival.

He said: “There’s no two ways about it, Handstands in my eyes is a very, very good horse, I know he is.

“Last season couldn’t have gone any better and this season hasn’t gone quite to plan, but he had a soft palate operation after the Betfair and he’s certainly a horse with loads left and lots to look forward to.

“We’ve done enough work with him to run, he’s certainly not screw fit but he’s in good order.

“He’s obviously got a lot to do at the weights, but he’s a very talented horse and it will be interesting to see how he gets on.”

Dan Skelton’s Protektorat was a brilliant winner of this £165,000 contest 12 months ago and returns after finishing third under 12 stone in a competitive Cheltenham handicap in November.

Like Handstands, the 11-year-old has undergone wind surgery since his last run and rider Harry Skelton is confident he will put up a staunch defence of his title.

He said: “He obviously enjoyed himself last year and is in great form. He has a favourable chance at the weights and it will be great to ride him again.

“He’s been a real servant, he’s just turned 11 but honestly he is like a seven-year-old. He loves the game and is in great form.”

Matata is a leading player for Nigel and Willy Twiston-Davies, while Olly Murphy is looking forward to saddling Resplendent Grey.

Last season’s bet365 Gold Cup winner beat Handstands in the Colin Parker at Carlisle before disappointing as a leading fancy for Newbury’s Coral Gold Cup.

“You can put a line through his run at Newbury. He was beaten after he jumped one fence that day after missing the start – it was game over for him very early,” said Murphy.

“He’s got a bit to find with Protektorat and Matata, but Matata is going into unknown territory trip-wise, Protektorat isn’t getting any younger and we’ve beaten Handstands this season already.

“Whether we’ll beat any of them, I don’t know. If he turns up on his A-game he would have a chance, but he might just need one or two of them to slightly underperform to be winning.

“It’s very good prize-money and worth having a go.”