The New One and Sire De Grugy do battle for the first time

Ladbrokes Welsh Champion Hurdle | 1m7f182y | ATR

Two of the most popular jumpers in training take each other on for the first time when former Champion Chase winner Sire De Grugy meets perennial Champion Hurdle contender The New One.

Ffos Las is the venue for their clash in the Ladbrokes Welsh Champion Hurdle – a limited handicap worth £45,000 and switched from February in the hope of attracting better horses and having better ground – in which topweight The New One concedes 13lb to Sire De Grugy and probable favourite Clyne, plus more to the rest.

Sire De Grugy has not contested a hurdle race since April 2012 and has been off the track since December last year, when he unseated early in the Desert Orchid Chase, since when he has taken time to come right. His hurdle handicap rating is 18lb below his chase mark.

Trainer Gary Moore said: "I'm killing two birds with one stone here. I want to bring up his level of fitness and to give him a confidence boost and hope he gets a bit of prize-money.

"I don't think he can beat The New One. He did win a Grade 2 as a novice but he's 11 now and isn't getting any quicker. He doesn't look his age, mind. He still thinks he's a two-year-old at home and he's been dynamic over his hurdles, really enjoying it."

Fences are likely to beckon next but another shot at the Tingle Creek Chase, which Sire De Grugy has won twice, could be a more daunting challenge against the likes of Altior and Un De Sceaux.

"It will all depend on this run," said Moore. "The Tingle Creek could be the hardest one ever, like a Champion Chase run at Sandown if they all go, or I could speak to the handicapper to see if there's any chance he could run in a 0-150. Maybe if he runs well over hurdles he could stick to hurdles."

The New One: will be partnered by Zac Baker for the first timeCredit: John Grossick

The New One will be ridden by stable amateur Zac Baker, who will take 5lb off. Nigel Twiston-Davies's star was running over further at the end of last season and has traditionally returned to action at Kempton.

Twiston-Davies said: "There is £15,000 more prize-money and softer ground at Ffos Las. He's in very good shape. We're taking 5lb off him and it being a limited handicap helps. He's won nearly £1 million at two miles so we'll keep going at this trip."

Twiston-Davies also takes the wraps off Bristol De Mai, who finished seventh in the Cheltenham Gold Cup but makes a low-key return in a chase at Stratford.

"He's superb and looks lovely," reported the trainer. "The more rain for him the better. He's being aimed at the Betfair Chase at Haydock."

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