Allysson Monterg could give trainer Richard Hobson a runner at the Cheltenham Festival should the ground be soft enough after the French-bred six-year-old opened his account at Leicester.
Hobson, whose stables are close to Prestbury Park at Stow-on-the Wold, cannot wait to send Allysson Monterg over fences next season but accepts that the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle would have to be considered.
The 10-11 favourite, who was second to the smart Champers On Ice at Cheltenham on New Year's Day, led all the way under Alain Cawley as he outpointed his market rival Potters Legend by nine lengths in the EBF Stallions 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle (Qualifier).
"I'm hoping that at the back end of next season he'll show his full potential over fences," said Hobson.
"I bought him as a two-year-old in France and he was so tall, gangly and weak. He still hasn't filled out. It's long-term plans, but he has got an engine and he stays well.
"I know we are going to have to go for the Albert Bartlett, but he won't run unless the ground is on the soft side of good. He's too nice a horse for the future and h e's still very green.
"The plan today was not to make the running, but we had to change the plan in the paddock. Alain said nothing was going to make it, which was good because it probably made a man of him."