The New One will step up in distance

IT will be the same venue but a different ball game for The New One at the Cheltenham Festival.

After four unsuccessful cracks at the Champion Hurdle, his trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies has admitted defeat. It’s time for a new target – the Sun Bets Stayers’ Hurdle.

“It’s so sad as his first Champion Hurdle was there for the taking but he was knocked out of it,” said Twiston-Davies, inset. The New One was stopped by an injured horse but still finished third to Jezki in 2014.

No horse knows Cheltenham better than The New One where he has run 15 times – winning on six occasions. But he will be breaking new ground when he tackles three miles. “I’ve no regrets about delaying the step up in distance,” said the trainer. “When Buveur D’Air gave him a good beating at Kempton on Boxing Day, the decision to miss the Champion was easily made. “Look at the good races that he’s run. We had to have a go at those Champion Hurdles and he has run so well in all of them. “He’s a horse of a lifetime, and, of course we would love him to win, especially with my son, Sam, in the saddle. “I’m not sure if he will stay, but Sam is. He would be my best chance at the meeting.” William Hill bet: 10-3 Supasundae, 5 Sam Spinner, Yanworth, 10 Penhill, 12 The New One, L’Ami Serge, B ac ardys, 14U now ha time an harry, Wholestone, 16 Faugheen, Finians Oscar, 20 La Bague Au Roi, 25 others.