Ben Poling remains confident in Handstand’s potential despite the horse finishing fourth in the Betfair Chase at Haydock on Saturday.
Handstand’s trainer came to Merseyside optimistic after the horse barely lost to Coral Gold Cup favorite Respondent Gray during his comeback race at Carlisle. The earlier victory of another stable star, Jukebox Man, also lifted his spirits.
Although Handstand faded in the final stretch and finished last among the four Grade 1 finishers, Poling sees encouraging signs from the race. He noted that Handstand seemed to have a slight hobble to the left in the straight but usually finishes strongly. After the race, the horse showed some back discomfort but recovered well by the next morning.
Poling remarked that Handstand made one error at a fence where he didn’t quite get his stride right, but overall this was a promising performance over a long distance. The horse traveled well and handled the competition calmly, showing no anxiety. Poling admitted he half-expected Handstand to win.
Describing Handstand as a courageous and hardworking six-year-old, Poling isn’t disappointed, explaining that it might take a couple more years for the horse to reach peak form at this level. He also believes Handstand could perform well over distances ranging from two-and-a-half miles to longer trips, citing his stamina and jumping ability.
Looking ahead, Handstand could run in either the Cotswold Chase at Cheltenham, a tough endurance test, or the Fleur de Lys at Lingfield, which Poling thinks suits the horse well and offers good value. He hasn’t ruled out either option.
Fan Take: This update highlights Handstand’s promising development and versatility, which is exciting for horse racing enthusiasts looking for emerging top contenders in major races. Poling’s strategic plans for varying distances could showcase Handstand’s true potential and add more drama and competition to the sport’s staying races.
