Twiston-Davies believes The New One's day may be here

It is testament to Nigel Twiston-Davies's handling of The New One that this is the nine-year-old's sixth successive Cheltenham Festival and his fourth appearance in the Stan James Champion Hurdle.

The 2013 Neptune winner was arguably unlucky when a close third to Jezki in the following year's Champion, having been badly hampered starting down the far side, and while there were no such 'in running' excuses for the 2015 fifth or 2014 fourth, there was a degree of mitigation.

However, like another regular in the race Birds Nest, one of the best hurdlers never to be champion, The New One tends to do very well in the trials but is usually found wanting on the big occasion.

Some think he might well have been better employed novice chasing this season, or else aimed at the Sun Bets Stayers' Hurdle. However, Twiston-Davies has never lost faith in him as a genuine contender for hurdling's main crown and believes his time might finally have arrived.

He said: "This could be his year. The race has fallen apart a bit and if you look at the handicapper's figures there's just a pound between him, Petit Mouchoir and Yanworth.

"He's back on his favourite course and he loves that hill. Above all, though, we've had a trouble-free run this time. We struggled to get him there the last two seasons, but this time he hasn't had a lame step."

Pros Loves Cheltenham and his trainer is full of optimism

ConsHas been found wanting on all three previous tries

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