Next month's stanjames.com Champion Hurdle Trial at Haydock is the likely target for The New One after trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies ruled his stable star out of the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton on St Stephen’s Day.
The six-year-old clinched his third victory of the season with a most impressive display in last weekend's International Hurdle, setting up a potentially mouth-watering clash with Irish raider Faugheen over the festive period.
However, that battle will now likely have to wait until the Champion Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in March.
Twiston-Davies said: "We're going to miss Kempton and the plan is to go to Haydock on 17 January, all being well.
"I just think it's better spacing for us. It gives him more time after his last run and he doesn't have so long to wait for the Champion Hurdle."
