Dr Richard Newland believes the step up to just short of three miles in the OLBG.com Mares' Hurdle at Ascot later this month could unlock even more improvement from The Govaness.
The Grand National-winning trainer has earmarked the Grade Two contest on January 23 as the most likely stepping point for the seven-year-old ahead of a potential outing in the World Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in March.
After falling on her first start for the Claines handler at Cheltenham last month, The Govaness was narrowly denied a win on her most recent outing when going down by a head in a Listed event at Sandown.
Newland said: "She has come out of her race at Sandown fine and will run at Ascot, all being well, in the Warfield Mares' Hurdle (OLBG.com Mares' Hurdle).
"It might just be she needs three miles to be seen at her best, but we will know a bit more about that after her run at Ascot.
"The plan is to run her at Cheltenham afterwards.
"She will get an entry in the mares' race there but she might also be entered in the World Hurdle if she handles the extra distance."
A step up in trip also beckons for Lanzarote Hurdle runner-up Westren Warrior, who could next be seen in either a Pertemps qualifier or in a valuable staying handicap at Sandown in four weeks' time.