Trainer Lucinda Russell is confident stable star Bold Sir Brian can prove just as effective over three miles as he has done over shorter trips.
The six-year-old, who won well at Carlisle in November, makes the long journey down to Sandown on Friday for the Sportingbet Future Stars Chase where he will face three promising rivals. The likes of Impek, Star De Mohaison and Barbers Shop have used this race as a stepping stone to bigger things in the past. Russell is hopeful Bold Sir Brian can continue his progression.
"Everything has gone perfect with him since his win at Carlisle, this has been the plan ever since," said the Kinross handler.
"It's a small field, which he seems to enjoy, and a race over Sandown's fences should be a good education for him.
"I'd like to think he'd be as effective over three miles as he has been over shorter trips, he's got all the tools.
"He jumped ever so well at Carlisle, he really warned to his task. I was really pleased with him that day and he seems a totally different horse this year.
"He was quite a precocious horse - he always seemed to be one year ahead of where we thought he'd be."
Paul Nicholls expects Pacha Du Polder to fare much better over a longer trip at Sandown after he was pulled up in the two-and-a-half-mile Old Roan Chase at Aintree in October.
"The ground was too quick for him at Aintree and he'll be much better over three miles," said the champion trainer.
The Nicky Henderson-trained Triolo D'Alene and Henry Daly's Grove Pride complete the four-runner field.
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