Champion Hurdle hopes high for the The New One
Friday 3 March 2017 15:11, UK
Nigel Twiston-Davies is increasingly confident this could be the year that The New One finally claims victory in the Stan James Champion Hurdle.
It is three years since connections of the nine-year-old were left to rue their luck after he flew home to finish third behind Jezki, having been severely hampered by the fatal fall of Our Conor.
He has beaten a shade under nine lengths in the last two renewals of Cheltenham's two-mile hurdling showpiece, first by Faugheen and then by Annie Power.
However, with the last two winners sidelined by injury, Twiston-Davies believes his charge has a good opportunity to strike gold at the fourth attempt.
He said: "I'm very excited by him. This is his fourth Champion Hurdle and he was very unlucky in his first one.
"Hopefully this is the year everything falls right for him.
"We've decided now to go for the Champion Hurdle rather than the Stayers' Hurdle as it's not as hot as it has been and we've not got a Faugheen in there.
"Looking at the ratings, he should be right there. Him and Yanworth are the top two-rated horses and there's only a pound between them."
The New One has enjoyed a fine season so far and was particularly impressive when making every yard of the running to win a third International Hurdle at Cheltenham in December.
He was no match for Yanworth in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton, but then toughed out victory at Haydock in January.
Twiston-Davies expects him to raise his game again back at his local track.
"Cheltenham brings the best out of him and the different tactics we've employed have helped him," said the Naunton-based trainer.
"We're happier than we have been for a long time. He's had soundness issues in the past, but since October, he's not had an unsound step. He'll have one tomorrow now I've said that!
"He doesn't seem to be showing his age. When he won the International at Cheltenham, he was sparkling that day.
"He never seems to sparkle at Haydock, but back at his favourite course, hopefully he'll be flying up the hill."
