Unbeaten Hurdler Completes Smart Double For Getaway
Handstands (5g Getaway – Wattle Bridge, by King’s Theatre) extended his unbeaten record with another smart performance in Saturday’s Novices’ Hurdle at Newcastle.
The son of Getaway sold to Kilbride Equine for £135,000 following a successful start for Patrick Turley, and went on run out a comfortable winner on his first start for Ben Pauling last month. He was sent off favourite to follow up over two and a half miles, with Ben Jones riding him to chase the leader for much of the way. Easing into the lead with four flights to jump, he began to draw clear from the second last and went on to win by seven lengths.
Speaking after the race, Ben Pauling said, “The plan was to run Handstands and gain more experience, and Ben said when the others crowded him down the back straight he found plenty. He couldn't have done it any easier and we may look at the Listed Sidney Banks Memorial Novices' Hurdle at Huntingdon on February 8th after that.”
Owned by TP Radford, Handstands was bred by Brendan and Mark Fitzpatrick out of a half-sister to black-type winner Snake Eyes (Oscar). He completed a smart double on the day for Grange Stud sire Getaway, with Lord Of Thunder (6g Getaway – Harbour Mistress, by Presenting) having earlier recorded easy back-to-back wins at Wincanton.
Joe Tizzard’s charge was sent off favourite following last month’s impressive win and once again raced prominently throughout under Brendan Powell. Leading from two out, he soon drew clear and kept on to win by seven and a half lengths.
Like Handstands, Lord Of Thunder began his career between the flags and sold to Peter and Ross Doyle for £165,000 following a fine second on his sole start for Sam Curling. Bred by Parkville Stud, he provides important updates for his yearling brother by Maxios.