Paul Nicholls believes the step up to three miles will play to the strengths of Sam Winner in the Pertemps Final at the Cheltenham Festival.
The six-year-old gelding is ante-post favourite for the coveted Listed affair next Thursday after he defeated Peddlers Cross in a "jumpers' bumper" at Kempton in January.
Although he has had just one start over hurdles this season, when fifth in a Pertemps series qualifier at Sandown in December, Sam Winner was a Grade Two winner at Cheltenham in his novice days when he pulled 15 lengths clear of leading Champion Hurdle hope Grandouet.
"He was really only half-ready at Sandown," Nicholls told the Independent.
"I don't think we've seen the best of him yet over hurdles, and three miles will bring out the best in him."
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