The finish to the International Hurdle was certainly thrilling but only added to the puzzle as to the relative merits of the leading contenders.
The New One (2/5f) did eventually win by six lengths but the lead changed hands several times in the closing stages.
Zarkandar (5/2) had been left in the lead some way from home as Hawkhill (100/1) faded. But he had a coming together with Jumps Road (100/1) in the home straight and this let The New One take the lead before the last fence. But the favourite jumped the last flight poorly and Zarkandar rallied up the hill. He took the lead again briefly before Sam Twiston-Davies was able to shake up The New One for a final effort to quicken and show his dominance.
Speaking after the race, trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies raised the possibility that the winner might head for the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton on Boxing Day. But that race is only 12 days away and The New One’s participation will depend on how he recovers from Saturday’s exertions.
Earlier on the card the same trainer-jockey combination also won the Stewart Family Thank You Gold Cup with Double Ross (7/1) running out a ready winner. The trainer revealed that he almost did not run because of the good ground, with Double Ross preferring a softer surface. The strong pace set by Eastern Meteor and Sew On Target also helped the winner who can be keen himself and making the race a test of stamina aided him.
More Of That (11/4) remains unbeaten after four starts with his latest success in the Relkeel Hurdle. The winning distance over Paul Nicholls’ Salubrious (3/1) was two and a quarter lengths but the impression was that it could have been further if Tony McCoy had really gone for it.
But the jockey explained afterwards that he was mindful of the horse’s inexperience and that the five-year-old might have pulled himself up if he found himself too far in front.
