Handstands boasts the best form, but is the ground a concern in the Mildmay?

It’s not often that you see a race with the best overall furlong-by-furlong time on the card also provide the quickest finishing speed of the day, but that was what happened in the Scilly Isles Novices’ Chase at Sandown in February and it was clearly a strong event, even for a Grade 1.

Handstands ran comfortably the fastest final four furlongs of all the winners on the card, and the best overall time at the meeting, and defeated Arkle winner Jango Baie by a short head. That is by far the best piece of form on offer and it shows Handstands has speed and stamina.

He had proven his staying power when winning a Grade 2 over three miles at Sandown in December and his subsequent victory at Ffos Las in January proves he will be effective over this galloping, left-handed circuit. But will he be able to reproduce his best on better going?

He is 5-6 on soft or heavy, won a point-to-point on soft to heavy and, while he has scored on good ground, that was in a novice hurdle and he didn’t look entirely at home under quicker conditions before falling at Wincanton in November on his chasing debut. Ground is a worry.

Many would have argued the same about Caldwell Potter before Cheltenham, but he put to bed any worries about that when successful there last month. He dominated the novice handicap chase and looked like the Grade 1 performer that joined Paul Nicholls from Ireland.

His family isn’t blessed with stayers but it is some family, with Brighterdaysahead, Mighty Potter, French Dynamite and Indiana Jones among his siblings and half-siblings. Caldwell Potter certainly wasn’t stopping at Cheltenham and might even improve for the greater test.

Caldwell Potter: stepping back up in trip and classCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

The rest of the field is made up of proven stayers, including Grade 1 novice hurdle winner Dancing City. Dancing City won the Sefton at this course last year after a third behind Stellar Story in the Albert Bartlett at Cheltenham.
Analysis by Graeme Rodway

Ben Pauling: 'Handstands looks a million dollars'

Ben Pauling is hopeful that a season-long plan can come to fruition as Handstands bids for success in the Grade 1 Mildmay Novices' Chase.

A winner in three of his four starts this term, including defeat of subsequent Arkle scorer Jango Baie in the Scilly Isles Novices' Chase at Sandown, Handstands was put away for this Aintree contest and Pauling believes he is the one his seven rivals have to beat.

The six-year-old is stepping back up in trip, but comes into the race fresh having not run at the Cheltenham Festival, which was all part of the plan according to Pauling.

He said: "The decision to miss Cheltenham was made a long time ago, maybe even at the start of the season, and we've stuck to our plan, so let's hope he's rewarded with another good result. 

"He's in very good form. He goes there as one of the best novices in England, and even possibly in Ireland. Everything is in his favour and I think the ground will be fine, while stepping up in trip won't be an issue as we know he stays three miles."

Pauling has enjoyed a successful season with his novices and he is excited to see how Handstands can fair on his fifth appearance of the campaign. 

He added: "He looks a million dollars and I can't wait to see how he gets on. We've been very fortunate that with him and The Jukebox Man we have two exceptional novices and they'll be two horses we hope can make that step up to open company next year. I certainly wouldn't be swapping them."

What they say

Paul Nicholls, trainer of Caldwell Potter
He was awesome at Cheltenham, jumping from fence to fence before keeping on strongly to win decisively. I’m stepping him up in trip to three miles now because two and a half miles round Aintree might be a bit sharp for him. It looks to me that he wants three miles. He's in very good shape and I hope they have put plenty of water on the Mildmay course. He has a lovely chance.

Joseph O'Brien, trainer of Jordans
He's been in good form since his run in the Plate at Cheltenham. He should enjoy this step up in trip and it looks a good opportunity for him to run well in Grade 1 company.
Reporting by Liam Headd

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