'He's grand and has done everything I've asked of him' – is Handstands the one to beat in Grade 2 Rising Stars?

Ben Pauling believes Handstands will be seen to better effect over a fence as he lines up against four rivals in the Grade 2 Rising Stars Novices' Chase (2.23).

A winner in three of his four starts last season, including in the Listed Sidney Banks Novices' Hurdle, the five-year-old tasted his only defeat when sixth behind Ballyburn in the Gallagher Novices' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.

However, Pauling felt the Grade 1 was too much to ask of Handstands after a busy season and is confident he can have a successful chase campaign this term.

"I'd expect him to make a better chaser than he was a hurdler," he said. "He's grand and has done everything I've asked of him. He's jumped brilliantly and his work has been very good.

"We'll have to obviously keep an eye on the ground, but I think he's very good indeed. He couldn't have done any more early season and Cheltenham was one run too many."

Among his opposition is the Paul Nicholls-trained Insurrection, who finished a close second on his chase debut in a Listed contest at Chepstow last month.

Nicholls said: "He ran really nicely at Chepstow and he's improved for the run. He'll love the ground and the track so hopefully he'll go well."

Boombawn, who finished a short head further back in third that day, reopposes for Dan Skelton, who reports his six-time winner to be in strong form.

He said: "It’s a very competitive race, but he’s done everything well. It was a bit of a stop-start race at Chepstow last time and it didn’t really suit him. Insurrection is in the race, but our horse is in good form and I have no excuses."

Soul Icon has finished second in each of his last four outings, and trainer Keiran Burke said: "It’s his first run since a little break. He will like the ground and has schooled very well recently. He’s as fit as we can get him. It’s a bit of a step up, but he just keeps on improving. He’s been a cracking horse for us."

Glynn completes the field of five for Anthony Honeyball, who said: "He enjoyed a fantastic campaign during the summer and has gained plenty of experience over fences. It seems strange to have a ten-year-old in a novice chase.

"He’ll love the ground and we gave him a run round the track a fortnight ago to give him course experience with this race in mind."

The Grade 2 Elite Hurdle (2.55) will see a field of three take each other on after Skelton's Forever William was declared a non-runner on Friday.

Nicholls, who has won this for the past two years, is responsible for last season's winner Rubaud, who made a successful seasonal return at Kempton last month.

The trainer said: "He won his race the other day nicely and it was important to get a run. He loves fast ground and a fast track, but we have to give the other two 6lb."

Rubaud and Harry Cobden run clear from the final flight in the TrustATrader Approved And Reviewed Trades People Hurdle at Kempton

Rubaud: bids for back-to-back Elite HurdlesCredit: Edward Whitaker

Brentford Hope enjoyed a strong first campaign with Harry Derham last season, with five wins from nine starts, but his participation in the contest will depend on the conditions.

Derham said: "He's in fantastic form, but if it's remotely quick then he won't run. I'm very keen to run him, he's in great nick, but he obviously won't be at his best on good ground.

"If he takes his chance it's a good starting point for him, and I always look forward to it every time he runs. We wish it was a slower surface, though."

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