Chasing option open for The New One
By Racing TV
Last Updated: Tue 5 Dec 2023
By Oliver Brett
Nigel Twiston-Davies says The New One, a winner 15 times over hurdles but beaten on his last three starts, may be finally switched to fences for the first time at the age of nine.
The popular gelding, owned by Sarah Such and Gino Paletta, is likely to be schooled over the larger obstacles before a view is taken over what sort of season lies in wait.
The New One, twice a Grade One winner, was set to attempt the bigger obstacles at Exeter early last season but the fixture was abandoned.
"The New One is great as always,” the Cotswolds trainer told Racing UK.
“We haven't really decided yet whether we keep chipping away at hurdles or we go chasing. The world's his oyster, let's see what happens. We haven't schooled him over fences yet but we'll probably have another look."
Twiston-Davies was at Goodwood on a filthy afternoon to cheer home Arthur Mc Bride, who won the Royal Sussex Regiment Handicap.
He said his entire string of National Hunt horses had resumed training, and added that Blaklion would be sent back to the Randox Health Grand National.
The eight-year-old was sent off the 8-1 favourite in April and raced prominently in the Aintree spectacular before he weakened late on to finish fourth.
"They're all in work, it's a lovely time of year," Twiston-Davies said. "We had a big work day this morning and everything's going really well. You have to pinch yourself because a lot of things probably will go wrong but at the moment it's very exciting.
"Flying Angel looks superb - let's hope he can continue improving.
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"It will be more difficult for him out of novice company but let's hope he can go to the top. Something for second-season novices, or something like that. Blaklion is really lovely. He ran so well in the Grand National last season and we're heading that way again."
Wholestone and Ballyoptic, meanwhile, are two others who could be directed over fences.
"We had two very good long-distance hurdlers last year, we had Wholestone and Ballyoptic - both very good novice hurdlers and they could make decent long-distance chasers. We haven't done the schooling yet but we hope so."
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