Owner Terry Warner admits he may be "clutching at straws" by expecting Sternrubin to win the Betfair Hurdle at Newbury on February 13.
The Philip Hobbs-trained novice was a bit of a tearaway last season but has calmed down to such an extent that he won the Gerry Feilden at Newbury and dead-heated for the Ladbroke in his last two races.
Having set a ferocious gallop in the Ladbroke at Ascot, he was headed close home by Jolly's Cracked It, only to battle back to share first place.
"There's not much more for him to run in, to be honest," said Warner.
"We always thought that he was a nice horse, but if I told you I thought he'd win a Ladbroke at the start of the season I'd be lying.
"He was a bit of a head-case last season, but has calmed down now and Philip has done a good job with him - it was great to see him battle back at Ascot.
"The intention is to run at Newbury and then go to Cheltenham, but for what, I'm not sure.
"He's still a novice, don't forget, so the Supreme could be an option if he runs well in the Betfair.
"He'll also be in the County Hurdle, but to win two major handicaps is very hard.
"I think he'll run well at Newbury as he's still progressing, but it might be clutching at straws expecting him to win another big one.
"His transformation has been incredible."