The New One looks a real Champion in International romp
The New One put in a scintillating performance to win the International Hurdle at Cheltenham and is now 3/1 (from 7/2) with Coral for the 2015 Champion Hurdle.
The Nigel-Twiston Davies trained gelding made it three out of three this season when cruising to a 4 1/2 length success in the Grade 2 contest at Cheltenham.
It was his second successive victory in the race, and the six-year-old looked better than ever under a supremely confident ride from Sam Twiston-Davies.
After travelling well through on the heels of the leaders, The New One jumped the last on the bridle upsides Vaniteux before quickening smartly to pull clear of Nicky Henderson’s highly regarded sort with the minimum of fuss.
It was a very smart performance to give the runner-up, who finished third to Vautour in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, 8lb and such a a comprehensive beating and Twiston-Davies has not ruled out The New One having a crack at the Christmas Hurdle on Boxing Day.
If he does line-up, The New One will take on the the unbeaten Faugheen who is currently the 2/1 favourite with Coral for the 2015 Champion Hurdle.
That would be a mouthwatering clash to savour, but with the race less than two weeks away I don’t think that Twiston-Davies will want to subject The New One to such a hard race so soon.
To me it would a wiser to wait and have a final prep run for the Champion in the New Year, but whatever route The New One goes his win in the International Hurdle makes him the one they all have to beat in the 2m showpiece on the opening day of the Festival next March.
*Trainer Jessie Harrington reports reigning Champion hurdler Jezki to be on course for his clash with Hurricane Fly in the Ryanair Hurdle at Leopardstown on December 29th.
The six-year-old got beat 2 1/4 lengths by The Fly when they met on seasonal reappearance in the Morgiana Hurdle at Punchestown last month, but looked in need of the run and is reported to have come on a bundle and be in “great form” by Harrington ahead of their eagerly awaited rematch.
Jezki, who had The New One 2 3/4 lengths behind him in third when winning this year’s Champion Hurdle, is currently a 5/1 with Coral to retain his crown on March 10th.
