Fos Las: Towton Novice Chase win for Ben Jones and Ben Palling combination, always dominate handstands | Racing news

A grade now tilts Handstands, to add another second grade win to his CV after running out a clear winner of the DragonBet Towton Novices Chase over Ffos Las.

The Ben Pauling-trained gelding was in the lead from the fall of the flag with Cherry Dam for his 5lb penalty win over the same grade at Sandown in December.

After Handstands and Ben Jones took him into the fourth final on the run, the latter fell gracefully, leaving the money favorite a little slower.

Lord of Thunder tries to go with him after getting back at him and getting badly tripped by a pitch drop, but Handstance always looks in control and draws right after the finish.

They were the only two winners, it was exhausting in this case.

Pauling said: “I was very excited and we were learning a lot because we had never run on that field with such hustle, grip and hard work before.”

“I’ve heard the reaction and some people have suggested he’s a bit of a rookie, but I think he’s learning to get off the ground and he’s been putting in a lot of effort to be honest and he’s been putting in a couple because of it.

“In the end he did really well and Ben was pleased with how he jumped after the holeshot and it’s another step in the right direction. On paper it looks like a competitive enough field and I know there were some bad moments in the third-end. But I think they were all coming to the end of their tethers.” And that’s probably why they failed.

“I was so taken with how well he came home, he turned so fast and put the race to bed and somehow he got out so fast again after the finish.

“Ben said he finished the race as fresh as a daisy and he didn’t think he had too much competition, which is unusual considering the ground today. I’m just delighted and it’s another step in the right direction, a progressive young novice chaser.”

Handstands can now quickly return to action in the Virgin Bet Scilly Isles Novice Chase for up to one level of company at Sandown on February 1.

And while Poling and the gelding’s owners are willing to skip the Cheltenham Festival and potentially clash with top-class stablemate The Jukebox Man, the six-year-old could head to Aintree in the spring instead.

“It’s a quick turnaround for the Isles of Scilly, but if it goes well from here it will be on our minds.” Pauling continued.

“The Radfords haven’t been overly upset about going to Cheltenham with him this year, they’re not trying to avoid him, but they think the Isles of Scilly and maybe Aintree could be the way forward and I can’t disagree.

“If we get to the Isles of Scilly well, he’ll be busy and it will be his fourth run of the season so going to Aintree could set up an exciting season for him.”

He continued: “We have beautiful horses and we are lucky to have owners who will buy these horses for us. So thank you very much.

“I don’t really want to go and take The Jukebox Man at Cheltenham, but if the Radfords want to go, I will. It’s a good place to be able to keep them away, though.”