Pauling Thrilled to Present His Most Formidable Cheltenham Team Yet

Ben Pauling embarked on his solo training journey in 2013, basking in the early successes of Barters Hill and Willoughby Court, which quickly propelled him into the limelight.

However, it is this season that Pauling, who considers Cheltenham his local track, feels he is making a return to the top echelon of the sport with a team of horses poised to perform at the Festival.

Barters Hill claimed his first Grade One victory in the 2015 Challow Hurdle, while Willoughby Court secured Pauling's first Festival triumph in the 2017 Neptune Novices' Hurdle, now known as the Baring Bingham Novices' Hurdle.

Le Breuil, triumphant in the National Hunt Chase, and Global Citizen, a winner in the Grand Annual, added to Pauling's Festival accolades. This season, he has strong contenders across all three novice hurdles.

Tellherthename, back to winning ways at Huntingdon, heads to the Supreme Novices' Hurdle. Meanwhile, The Jukebox Man, after a commendable third in the Challow Hurdle, sets his sights on the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle.

Pauling expressed his confidence in the team, remarking,

"I'd say this is going to be our strongest team, certainly in quality if not quite numerically. Hopefully, they'll all go there and do their best – and if their best is good enough, then fine."

Reflecting on his early career, Pauling now values success more deeply, acknowledging the exceptional calibre of his current team.

In addition to the promising novice hurdlers, Pauling also has a few handicappers with strong prospects. Each race seems to organically point towards the runners' strengths and preferences.

As the Cheltenham Festival approaches, Pauling's training stable appears well-prepared with a blend of experienced campaigners and emerging talents, promising an exciting showcase of racing prowess.