Cheltenham Festival 2018 – Nigel Twiston-Davies’ The New One to head for the Sun Bets Stayers’ Hurdle after Haydock win
Nigel Twiston-Davies' admirable hurdler dug deep to hold off the challenge of Ch'Tibello and now looks set to head to the Sun Bets Stayers' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival
NIGEL TWISTON-DAVIES paid tribute to his "horse of a lifetime" after The New One claimed his fourth victory in the Unibet Champion Hurdle Trial at Haydock.
Twiston-Davies' 10-year-old was giving weight to each of his three rivals and it looked as though the evens favourite might have to go down fighting to Ch'Tibello.
Despite Ch'Tibello jumping to the front and looking as if he would go on to win, The New One kept battling away to the line to get the verdict in a thrilling contest.
The winning trainer said: "We know he's not at his best here in heavy ground, but that is the fourth time he's won it now - surely they must name the race after him!
"He appears to be better than ever at the age of 10, which tells you all you need to know about him.
"He's just so tough, we love him and while he'll get an entry in the Champion Hurdle in case the wheels fall off the others, it will be straight to the Stayers' now.
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"He's never been that impressive in this race, in a way that's probably his best win. I've certainly never won the same race four times, never mind a Grade 2.
"Quite simply he's the horse of a lifetime."