British fight back: Pauling and Morrison heartened by handicap results

Ben Pauling believes British trainers can hold their heads high after they landed five of the nine handicaps at the Cheltenham Festival.

The trainer won the Grand Annual with 28-1 shot Global Citizen and was part of the fightback against Irish trainers, who dominated with 23 wins last season, including claiming all but two of the handicaps.

Last season's poor return from British trainers prompted the BHA to change the way their horses are handicapped and Pauling believes this year's result justifies the decision to re-evaluate the British ratings.

Kielan Woods celebrates victory aboard Global Citizen in the Grand AnnualCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

"The results show they were right to look at the handicaps," said Pauling.

"There were too many horses rated higher than 120 last year compared to ten years ago. They were probably giving British horses inflated marks quite quickly, starting with novice hurdlers.

"It starts in novice hurdles. We've had winners this season who were given a mark of 114, when previously they might have been rated 120 or higher. Handicaps should be competitive and there weren't too many big winning margins. I hope they keep the new approach."

British trainers trailed their Irish counterparts heading into the final day, during which they failed to fire in all seven races, something Pauling put down to the brilliance of Willie Mullins, who won five.

"The British trainers did themselves proud and were competitive in a lot of races," Pauling added.

"We can hold our heads high and have squashed the rumour the Irish trainers might just be better than the British. You have to have the horses and we've been competitive."

The trainer will bid for more success next month with Global Citizen, who could run in the Grade 3 Red Rum Handicap Chase at Aintree.

"You really wouldn't know he had a race," Pauling said.

"We had to wait 18 months for him to return to form, so we want to have fun with him. It was great to see the old spark and he ran a gallant race. If he's raised 6lb he should still come forward and be competitive."

Third Wind: has options at Aintree and PunchestownCredit: Mike Hewitt (Getty Images)

Global Citizen could be joined at Aintree by Pertemps winner Third Wind, although trainer Hughie Morrison has not yet confirmed his target, with the Punchestown festival also under consideration.

"We'll take a huge amount of heart from British trainers winning five handicaps," Morrison said.

"I was relaxed about our chances having finished fourth off 141 two years ago behind three Irish runners, which made us pretty circumspect about our chances this season.

"It's difficult to win a handicap full stop, especially when the better horses are trained in Ireland and are campaigned differently. The handicapper has an impossible job due to the different jurisdictions.

"With 22 runners in virtually every handicap in Ireland, you could be dropped 3lb for finishing fifth, while in the equivalent race in Britain, you could end up finishing second in a small field and going up 3lb."

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