The New One all set for Champion battle

The New One attempts to enhance his excellent course record when he goes for the Stan James Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham on Tuesday.

The six-year-old has saved his very best efforts for the Prestbury Park circuit, winning four of his six starts there, and was arguably most impressive when showing scintillating acceleration to win the Neptune Investment Management Novices' Hurdle at last year's Festival.

He has won twice from three starts this season and was last seen running fellow Champion Hurdle candidate My Tent Or Yours close in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton, despite fluffing his lines at the final obstacle.

Trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies said: "Preparations have gone smoothly and it must be a plus that he has done so well at the course. I think it's the hottest (Champion Hurdle) there has been for a very long time, I don't know anything about the Irish horses, we haven't run against them at all but they're obviously a very strong team and we'll have to be at our best.

"I don't think his jumping's a problem, it was just such a shame he met that one hurdle wrong (at Kempton). I'm not worried about the pace, a slow pace will hurt the others as much as him."

The New One will be ridden by Twiston-Davies' son Sam, who said: "It's going to be a serious race, very, very competitive, but I love our horse to pieces, he's got all the right attributes. He's so relaxed, just a switched-off horse, but when you give him a kick in the belly or a slap around the shoulder it's amazing how quickly he can click through the gears.

"We're going in there with a solid chance - the others will take some beating but we'll give it our best shot."