Monday 28 March 2016 17:29, UK
Nigel Twiston-Davies is not fazed at taking on Champion Hurdle heroine Annie Power with The New One at Aintree next week.
The Naunton handler admitted to being gutted by The New One's defeat when fourth to Willie Mullins' wonder mare at Cheltenham.
He now accepts that at the age of eight, The New One is not quite as fast as he used to be and that the two and a half miles of the Doom Bar Aintree Hurdle on Thursday will suit him a lot better.
The New One has taken part in two Aintree Hurdles, finishing second in 2013 before going one better in 2014.
"He will be going to Aintree. Maybe he has lost a little bit of speed so perhaps he needs the two-mile-four-furlongs now," said Twiston-Davies.
"I know Annie Power is coming over, but we'll make her work.
"I was devastated at Cheltenham and the press at long last were proved right, but he was still only beaten eight lengths, so it wasn't too bad.
"He's still really good but perhaps not quite as fast but over a longer distance he'll improve again."
Twiston-Davies is looking to take a strong team to the Liverpool track, including his Cheltenham Festival winners Ballyandy, the Weatherbys Champion Bumper scorer and RSA victor Blaklion.
The latter is heading for the Mildmay Novices' Chase with Ballyandy pencilled in for Aintree's Champion Bumper.
"They are in bouncing form, really good. I'm very happy with them and we are looking at Aintree," he said.
"Ballyandy won the race Cue Card won, so let's see if we can follow in his steps. We'd be so happy.
"He's a little bit small but having said that he carries big weights and is doing really well. I hope can be a Gold Cup horse."
