1 The New One 2/5F
2 Zarkandar 5/2
3 Jumps Road 100/1
7 ran Distances: 6l, 6l, 6l
TIME 4m 4.45s (slow by 9.95s)

The New One confirmed his position as ante-post favourite for the Stan James Champion Hurdle at The Festival in March when taking the £130,000 Grade Two StanJames.com International Hurdle from his main rival Zarkandar by six lengths.

The New One
© Racehorse Photos

The New One, successful for the fourth time at Cheltenham, started the 2/5 favourite, while Zarkandar went off at 5/2, with 100/1 chance Jumps Road third, six lengths adrift of the runner-up.

Zarkandar soon took up the running before The New One cruised up to gain the advantage before the last. The new leader made a slight mistake at the final flight and Zarkandar, switched out, came back before The New One lengthened and went away up the run-in.

It was a fantastic big-race double for Nigel Twiston-Davies and Sam Twiston-Davies.

Sam Twiston-Davies declared: “Thank God he is tough. I thought Zarkandar was beaten and was almost more worried about Paul Moloney (on Court Minstrel) for a minute. Then I missed the last but I gave him a kick in the belly and off he went. I was bit annoyed with myself because the one thing I wasn’t going to do was hit the front before the last.

"Thank God the horse is very good – I cannot take much credit. Wayne Jones rides him all the time at home – I just get to school him occasionally. He is a so relaxed and what a good horse.”

Nigel Twiston-Davies said: “It was great – really good. It was a relief as he was expected to win. It is all hype but he proved it today by quickening away like that. He is a most exciting animal – so lovely and straightforward. We are lucky we have him.

"We are looking at the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton (Boxing Day) which is only 12 days away. So we will see how he comes out of today’s race. He did not seem to have a hard race but he will tell us. Then it would be one more race or straight to the Champion Hurdle.”

The New One is the 3/1 favourite for the Stan James Champion Hurdle.

Rory Jiwani of StanJames.com said: “The New One underlined his Champion Hurdle credentials by beating last year’s winner Zarkandar without a great deal of fuss. There’s plenty to come from Nigel Twiston-Davies’ star and he’s our new 3/1 favourite for the Stan James Champion Hurdle in March."

Stanjames.com International Hurdle
£130,000 added, 4yo plus, 2m 1f, Class 1
7 ran
Going: Good