English/Ire
‘She’s just come alive again’ – Pauling looking forward to Mares’ Chase with Diva Luna
Ben Pauling nominated Diva Luna as a horse ‘going under the radar’ heading into the Cheltenham Festival next month.
Pauling looks set to field a strong squad at Prestbury Park, with The Jukebox Man spearheading the line-up in the Cheltenham Gold Cup.
However, Pauling will have plenty of ammunition to fire before Gold Cup Day, including the high-class Diva Luna, who looks set to line up in the Mares' Chase after returning from a small setback.
"She whacked a joint earlier in the season but all of a sudden, she's just come alive again. So, I'd say she's going to be spot on," said Pauling.
"She will go to the Mares' Chase with a great chance. She ran incredibly well there last year considering the season she'd had. She obviously acts around the track. She won there on New Year's Day.
"She was third in the mares' novice hurdle last year when she was not right. If she goes there this year, she'll be bang on."
Also ready to play a supporting role to The Jukebox Man is talented chaser and former Grade 1 winner Handstands.
The Tim Radford-owned seven-year-old battled on bravely to deny Jango Baie in the Scilly Isles at Sandown last February and although thing's haven't gone completely to plan since, Pauling believes he has the son of Getaway right back where he wants him ahead of a potential run in either the Ryanair or Ultima.
He said: "Handstands has come alive since the Fleur De Lys. We went to the Betfair where he travelled and jumped and at the last down the back, I thought Grey Dawning had a fight on his hands, but in the straight he lugged left.
"Tim Radford (owner) was adamant we should get his wind checked so we lasered his soft palate.
"He worked in Lambourn, after which I was keen to go to the Denman and Tim to the Windsor race. Jumping two out he had Protektorat under pressure.
"He worked well at Warwick on Friday night and has come out of it like a bull in a china shop. If the Ryanair cut up a bit, he would be competitive and I might even put a pair of cheekpieces on.
"I think he's a three-miler and will stay as far as we want him to stay. The positive in the Ryanair option is that he could jump and travel in a small field.
"I'm sure he will be near the top of the weights in the Ultima, but I could be swayed."
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