Colin Bowe is hoping Little King Robin's potential fitness advantage could help her cause an upset in Sunday's StanJames.com Morgiana Hurdle at Punchestown.
The prolific six-year-old has already enjoyed a fantastic 2014 campaign, winning seven times over hurdles, with her tremendous front-running style most recently helping her claim a Grade Two triumph in the WKD Hurdle at Down Royal.
She faces an even tougher task this weekend as she tackles Champion Hurdle hero Jezki and hurdling great Hurricane Fly at Grade One level, but Bowe feels the time is right to take on the big guns, with the top two making their seasonal debut.
Bowe said: "I think she's entitled to have a go at it. She's in great form and she's match fit, so we'll roll the dice and see what happens.
"We thought about waiting until Christmas after Down Royal, but she's so well and there's nothing else for her between now and then.
"Why not have a crack at a Grade One and see how we get on?"
Mark Walsh has steered Little King Robin to each of her eight-career victories so far, but has been claimed by owner JP McManus to partner Jezki on Sunday.
As a result, amateur rider Barry O'Neill will partner Bowe's stable star and the trainer is confident he can carry out the positive tactics that have proved so potent.
"We're missing our jockey with Mark getting on Jezki, but Barry O'Neill rode the mare in point-to-points, he knows her well and he's more than capable of doing the job," said Bowe.
"We'll be sticking to our game plan. We know it suits her well, so we've no intention of changing tactics now.
"I don't know whether they'll chase her or not, we'll see.
"We'll probably be setting it up for the two big boys, but we're keen to give it a go."
