All you need to know about the International as The New One seeks fourth win

Unibet International Hurdle
3.05 Cheltenham | 2m1f | Grade 2 | 4yo+ | ITV4/ATR

A new set of rivals and a new piece of headgear but the same old The New One according to Nigel Twiston-Davies.

The New One has won the International Hurdle three times – 2013, 2014 and 2016 – but he was favourite on each occasion and as short as 2-5 for the first of his victories. This time it’s different.

He is turning 11, arrives on the back of a lacklustre effort in the Welsh Champion Hurdle at Ffos Las and was available at double figures for most of the last week. Victory here would be one of his most remarkable achievements, of which there have been plenty.

On what will be The New One's 40th racecourse appearance, Twiston-Davies has called upon a visor for the first time.

"The visor is just to sharpen him up a little bit – I'm sure he doesn't need it but it can't do any harm," said positive Twiston-Davies. "He's run so well in this race in the past and he was so unlucky last year that My Tent Or Yours had such a big weight allowance. But for that he would have won it four times. At home he seems every bit as good as ever. He's sparkling."

Could it be the last time we see The New One on a racecourse?

"We just want him to run a bit better race than he did last time. If he runs an absolute stinker I don't know what will happen but I'm not forecasting anything. It's up to the owners anyway," added the trainer.

Will Cheltenham spark a Summerville revival?

If The New One’s best days are behind him, Summerville Boy’s are surely in front but he will need to quickly forget a rather lethargic return to action in the Fighting Fifth at Newcastle where he was 22 lengths behind Buveur D’Air. A repeat of that will not do.

Tom George was as perplexed as the rest of us by the run, especially since nothing has shown up since to blame. He hopes a return to the scene of his last-gasp Supreme Novices' Hurdle success will bring out a different Summerville Boy.

Summerville Boy: out to make amends after his run in the Fighting FifthCredit: Mark Cranham

George said: "Nothing ever really came to light after Newcastle, he just wasn’t in the same form as he was last season. I wouldn’t put it down to him being in need of the run, he just wasn’t himself. But he seems in great form, looks good and hopefully we can put that behind him.

"We need to go to a track we know he likes and if it’s not working here, we can see what else we need to do with him. By going somewhere different like Kempton or Haydock, we won’t be answering our question. We need to see where we are with him but he is in good form and we’re happy with him."

Henderson hoping Dream can come true

There is no My Tent Or Yours to call upon following the recent retirement of last year's winner so Nicky Henderson has launched a two-pronged attack this time with last season's top notch juvenile We Have A Dream and the frustrating Brain Power, who has failed to live up to expectations over fences.

Henderson said: "Brain Power is going back over hurdles as a very speedy horse. I don't know why but he hasn't been jumping fences as well as I hoped he would, so we're bringing him back to hurdles.

"I hope and think I'm getting there with We Have A Dream. We have probably been a bit unfair on him, throwing him into the Elite Hurdle and making the running before upping him in trip in Ascot. I don't know if he didn't quite get home that day but he'll be ready for this race."

We Have A Dream runs out an impressive winner at AintreeCredit: Alan Crowhurst

Tizzard has a Vision

Vision Des Flos was a length and a quarter ahead of Summerville Boy at Newcastle yet he is four times the price of that rival this time. That will not make much sense to some and Colin Tizzard thinks the five-year-old is ready to ruffle some feathers.

Tizzard said: "I half wish we’d waited for this because Buveur D’Air and Samcro were brilliant up at Newcastle but he still ran right up to his best. This is a different test and I think he’ll run well."

Western Ryder, a course winner when beating Lalor in a novice hurdle at the meeting last year, was last seen finishing fifth in the Greatwood Hurdle.

Jockey Richard Johnson said on Friday of his chances: "I schooled him this morning at Warren’s [Greatrex]. He went well so we thought it would be worth running him in. With Laurina not coming over this looks quite an open race."

He has a bit to find at the weights, but he has a strong each-way chance. We just thought the race would suit him. He enjoys it around Cheltenham and has some good form in small fields."

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