Alan King is confident Balder Succes is in "very good form" ahead of his tilt at the Ryanair Chase at the Cheltenham Festival on March 12.
The seven-year-old has done most of his racing over two miles, but a step up in distance has helped his cause in the second half of this season.
After winning a Listed prize at Kempton in January, Balder Succes clinched Grade One honours in the Ascot Chase a month later.
King will be hoping his charge enjoys better luck than at previous Festivals after he fell in the 2012 Triumph Hurdle and unseated his rider in the Champion Hurdle a year later.
The Barbury Castle handler said: "He has stepped forward now that we've found the right trip.
"He was just found wanting in the early part of the season over two miles.
"Now he's got his conditions, he seems in very good form."
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