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Trainer Charlie Longsdon is optimistic that Willie Boy’s first race over three miles can open up new possibilities.
The Wetherby winner has yet to try his luck over a distance of more than two miles and five furlongs as he prepares to line up in the Sky Bet Handicap Chase at Doncaster on Saturday.
He faces tough opposition in the race, with Alan King’s Dingo Dollar seen as the horse to beat with last year’s runner-up Warrior’s Tale also in the line-up, as well as a test of his own stamina.
However, despite the seven-year-old’s lack of experience in that particular distance, Longsdon remains confident that he can cope with the adjustments.
“Three miles is an unknown, but we think he will probably get it,” said the Cotswolds trainer of his former point-to-pointer.
“I hope it will really suit him, and he’ll actually improve for it. “Of course, there are plenty of point-to-point winners who only get two miles.
But for him, I think going over three could just slow things down a bit and help him. It’s been well documented he’s had a few issues with his jumping.
“He’s in great form with himself. He was going very well in the BetVictor when he came down – who knows what would have happened, but he was definitely going as well as anything.”
