Getaway Gelding Leads The Home In Grade 2 Novice Chase

Handstands (5g Getaway – Wattle Bridge, by King’s Theatre) stamped his class with an authoritative victory in the Grade 2 Esher Novices’ Chase at Sandown on Friday.

Ben Pauling’s charge won his first three starts over hurdles last season, featuring a Listed win, and was pitched at Grade 2 level on his chase debut last month. He fell on that occasion, but appeared to prefer Friday’s step up to three miles, making most of the running under Ben Jones.

Quickening on the turn for home, he was ridden from two out and produced a fine leap at the last, staying on to win by three and a half lengths. The favourite Resplendent Grey (Walk In The Park) finished second

“The second we schooled him over fences he was electric,” Pauling said after the race. “He's got natural speed but we'd hoped he'd stay three miles as well, so coming here on rain-softened ground was going to tell us that. I'm delighted with today. I think he's learned a lot and we've learned a lot, too.”

On future plans, the trainer commented: “We'll see how Handstands comes out of the race and we'll take it as we find it. He's a staying chaser for the future.”

Handstands is owned by Tim Radford, who bought the gelding through Kilbridge Equine for £135,000 following his debut win for Patrick Turley. Bred by Brendan and Mary Fitzpatrick, the son of Getaway had previously fetched €75,000 as a foal.