Unbeaten Son Of Getaway Boosts Cheltenham Chances With Listed Win

Handstands (5g Getaway – Wattle Bridge, by King’s Theatre) beat Grade 1 winner Jango Baie to extend his unbeaten record in Thursday’s Listed feature at Huntingdon.

The son of Getaway fetched £135,000 after winning a four-year-old maiden for Patrick Turley and rewarded new connections with a pair of smart wins in novice hurdles. He was ridden by Harry Cobden for the first time in the Sidney Banks Memorial Novices’ Hurdle and travelled strongly throughout behind the leaders. He was going best of all when leading before two out and was ridden from the final flight. Keeping on well to the line, he beat Tolworth Hurdle victor Jango Baie by a length and a half.

“I was very impressed with that,” Cobden said. “He travelled beautifully and then didn't do a tap in front.”

“He's so raw,” added winning trainer Ben Pauling. He still looks a shell but there's no bottom to him. He just lobbed around there and didn't pick up the bridle for the first two miles, but when Harry wanted him he just went. I don't think he's short of speed but we'll have a look at the Baring Bingham after that.”

The performance saw the son of Getaway shorten to 10/1 for the Grade 1 Baring Bingham Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham. Owned by TP Radford, he becomes the first black-type winner bred by Brendan and Mary Fitzpatrick out of Wattle Bridge.