Red Marauder is on course for a crack at the Tripleprint Gold Cup at Cheltenham in December following a winning reappearance over hurdles at Market Rasen on Saturday.
Norman Mason`s 10-year-old faced stiff tasks over fences last season but took advantage of some lenient handicapping over the smaller obstacles to easily win the Geo. Akins Bookmakers Handicap Hurdle over three miles at the Lincolnshire track.
And Red Marauder will have another run over timber before reverting to chasing.
Mason said: 'It`s just the way he races at the moment so we`ll probably look at another hurdle race but he`ll definitely be going chasing after that.
'We are looking at a race at Cheltenham (Tripleprint Gold Cup) I won with Clever Folly a few years ago (1989), in early December. I think it`s ideal for him - that`s his ultimate aim.'
The County Durham-based permit holder explained his decision to send his stable star hurdling.
He said: 'We schooled him at home and he`s that versatile type of horse.
'It was just the way he was rated in the handicap. We thought it was a good race so we said let`s go for it.'
Red Ark, Mason`s other promising chaser, also made a successful return over hurdles on the same card and will now be aimed at the First National Bank Gold Cup at Ascot in November, a race won by Red Marauder two years ago.
