Nigel Twiston-Davies is confident Bristol De Mai will have no problems coping with the shorter trip in the Fleur De Lys Chase at Lingfield on Sunday.
The 11-year-old, who is available at 11/4 for the new 2m6f contest, has proven form on testing ground, having ploughed through heavy going to win two Betfair Chases and the Finale Juvenile Hurdle at Chepstow in 2014.
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Conditions could play part
Bristol De Mai won the second of his three Betfair Chases on good ground in 2018 but was ruled out of a fifth crack at the race in November and was pencilled in for the £150,000 Fleur De Lys Chase, which looks set to be run on testing ground at Lingfield.
The four-time Grade 1 winner is proven over longer trips, having finished third in the Cheltenham Gold Cup over 3m21/2f, and this will be the shortest trip he has raced over since he was beaten by Seeyouatmidnight in a 2m4f match at Carlisle in 2016.
Trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies said: "I'm not really concerned about the distance, it will be a stiff trip round there in the ground. It was too quick for him at Haydock and it looks as though he'll get his ground. He's in very good shape and we're looking forward to it."
Dashel Drasher to rival
His main opponents could be the Dashel Drasher, a handicap hurdle winner at Newbury for trainer Jeremy Scott last time, and Itchy Feet, who finished second behind talented chaser Bravemansgame in a graduation chase at Haydock in November.
