The New One tackles Neptune test

The New One: "A proper horse"

The New One bids to cement his Cheltenham Festival credentials when lining up in the Neptune Novice Hurdle on Saturday.

His sole defeat came in the Festival Bumper last year and he has been immensely impressive in three races over timber to date.

Sam Twiston-Davies is his lucky pilot and does not hold back in his praise.

"We'd be keen for a good gallop, but he's some animal," said Twiston-Davies junior.

"It's a very competitive race, but what he did at Warwick was very special indeed.

"He was visually very impressive that day, but I also think he has a lot of resilience if it comes to a battle.

"The only thing, possibly, is that this race is two weeks after the Warwick race, but he only really had a canter that day so it's probably not that big a deal.

"It will probably be very tacky ground, but he's won on soft ground and it will be the same for everyone. He's a proper horse."Heading the opposition, the Rebecca Curtis-trained At Fishers Cross has progressed at a rate of knots this season.

Three wins, the latest in a handicap at Cheltenham, have really caught the eye.

"I wouldn't say he's surprised me as we've always thought he was a good horse," said Curtis.

"He's taken a bit of time to click but he is clearly progressing.

"I think he deserves to run in a race like this as he's been there and done it in good handicaps.

"This heavy ground seems to help his jumping, so that might come in handy at the weekend. He seems a horse on the up."