Global Citizen runs rivals ragged to leave Pauling and Bass with Arkle ambitions

Ben Pauling sent out three runners on Boxing Day. All three were pulled up. It was a single afternoon and did not reflect the trainer's recent revival, but it told the story of his season so far.

There are, however, many reasons for Pauling to be excited about 2020. One of them is called Global Citizen.

At Carlisle in late October the seven-year-old made his chase debut. Given he had been successful in last season's Gerry Feilden Hurdle and Haydock Champion Hurdle Trial, Pauling and his team were entitled to be excited.

Watch Global Citizen win the Grade 2 Ladbrokes Wayward Lad Novices' Chase

Hopes were dashed, however, when the headstrong galloper trailed home 21 lengths in fourth. At the time, however, Pauling had little more than hope.

The yard's horses were failing to fire, and a substandard batch of hay identified as a possible reason. Whatever the cause there appears to have been a cure, for Global Citizen gave David Bass a mighty thrill as he made all the running to land the Grade 2 Ladbrokes Wayward Lad Novices' Chase in style.

While Al Dancer and Fanion D'Estruval were no doubt below par in fourth and fifth, they were thumped by a rival who took no prisoners, jumping boldly and enthusiastically, even at the last of the 12 fences, to race into the Racing Post Arkle picture, for which bookmakers offer between 12-1 and 20-1. Rouge Vif and Grand Sancy ran with credit to take second and third.

Global Citizen and David Bass return after winning the Wayward Lad ChaseCredit: Mark Cranham

"Had he not won today he would probably have gone back to the Champion Hurdle, hence the fact we threw him in at the deep end here," said Pauling, who also sent out a 33-1 Ascot winner last Friday.

"They were queuing up behind him but to get to him is one thing, to get past him is another. When he is right he is gutsy as hell. He really is a brave little sod. That was a good performance – and it was on ground he would have hated as well.

"Remember, he was rated 159 at one point over hurdles, and he only went down for his Champion Hurdle run when he was all wrong. I always thought if he could emulate something like that form he would be a very good horse for the Arkle or Aintree.

"He would have to be one of the best of the British in the Arkle, which looks a very open race."

Bass was very much in agreement. "That was brilliant," he said. "I love riding him because he has so many gears. He hasn't always been the most natural over fences, but today he was really good. He also relaxed a lot better than he sometimes has in the past."

Pauling is now also entitled to feel more relaxed than for many a month.

"It has been hugely frustrating and so disappointing for the yard," he said. "There hasn't been that much wrong but they have now turned a corner by the looks of things so we can hopefully kick on for the rest of the season."

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