The New One and Sire De Grugy likely to clash in Welsh Champion Hurdle

Finian's Oscar and Court Minstrel delighted jumps fans at one Welsh venue last weekend and we could have the first big clash of the season at another this weekend, with Sire De Grugy and The New One intended runners in Saturday's Ladbrokes Welsh Champion Hurdle.

The advantage would seemingly be with Nigel Twiston-Davies' two-year-younger The New One – who has one more career victory than Sire De Grugy's 17 – and is on home territory given it is a two-mile hurdle race.

But the handicap nature of the contest – switched from February in the hope of drawing a higher-quality cast and better ground – means he would have to give 11-year-old Sire De Grugy 13lb, as he gets in off his hurdles mark of 147 – and the five-time Grade 1 winner was good enough to win a handicap chase at Ascot last year off 160.

Aintree Grade 1 winner San Benedeto, the progressive Clyne and exciting juvenile Don Bersy add further depth to the 17 entries, while Joseph O'Brien could create an Irish element having entered hat-trick-seeking Persistent.

The New One will be staying over hurdles this season and looks likely to head to Wales for his first start of the seasonCredit: David Davies

Twiston-Davies, who it would seem has finally won his battle with The New One's owners to keep him over hurdles, said: "We're going; as long as it's decent ground we'll be there.

"It's a good starting point and I imagine he'll tread a fairly familiar path through the season. I think we'll stay over hurdles, though we could try three miles if he keeps getting beaten over two – we might have to move up."

Another of Twiston-Davies' stars, Gold Cup seventh Bristol De Mai, could also make his seasonal return on Saturday in a handicap chase at Stratford.

"Bristol De Mai could also run, as long as the ground's on the soft side of good. He really could come into his own this season," he said.

Moore's stars set to return

Gary Moore is another looking forward to taking the wraps off one of his – and jump racing's – most popular performers.

"As long as Sire De Grugy is all good for the rest of the week and the ground is soft he'll definitely run," the Sussex-based trainer said.

"He's had a long time off so it's a great opportunity to give him a chance and get his eye in. He'll be back over fences afterwards.

"If we got continuous, heavy rain he might go to Cheltenham for a handicap chase, but I don't think we'll get enough rain.

"He won for us last year, and we'll probably try him in the Tingle Creek – that's his race. And if he's not good enough to run in that company any more then we'll have to speak to the handicapper."

On plans for other stars, Moore added: "Traffic Fluide could go to Aintree for the Old Roan Chase. I'm not quite sure where we'll go first with Ar Mad, he could go to Exeter for the Haldon Gold Cup."

The going at Ffos Las was on Monday good to soft, with showers forecast throughout the week.

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