Trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies insists The New One has not been retired and he will make his comeback when the ground becomes softer.
The New One recorded an impressive victory in the Champion Hurdle Trial at Haydock in January, but he has only run three times since that triumph and produced below-par performances on each occasion, most recently at Ffos Las in October.
That seventh-place finish in the Dunraven Group Welsh Champion Hurdle is The New One's only run of the season to date, with speculation mounting that Twiston-Davies has decided to retire the 10-year-old.
However, the 61-year-old trainer has now moved to dismiss that speculation and he insists The New One will return to action as soon as conditions become more suitable.
“No, we've not retired him. As soon it rains, he will be out and away again,” Twiston-Davies was quoted as saying by Sky Sports. “There are very few races he can go for, but it is literally a case of waiting for the rain.”
Another of Twiston-Davies' star attractions, Bristol De Mai, has no such problems with the current conditions, with the trainer confirming the seven-year-old is likely to run in this month's Betfair Chase at Haydock Park.
“He will run in the Betfair,” Twiston_Davies added. “As long as there is decent ground at Haydock, he will be there. He has been really good at home.”
The New One recorded an impressive victory in the Champion Hurdle Trial at Haydock in January, but he has only run three times since that triumph and produced below-par performances on each occasion, most recently at Ffos Las in October.
That seventh-place finish in the Dunraven Group Welsh Champion Hurdle is The New One's only run of the season to date, with speculation mounting that Twiston-Davies has decided to retire the 10-year-old.
However, the 61-year-old trainer has now moved to dismiss that speculation and he insists The New One will return to action as soon as conditions become more suitable.
“No, we've not retired him. As soon it rains, he will be out and away again,” Twiston-Davies was quoted as saying by Sky Sports. “There are very few races he can go for, but it is literally a case of waiting for the rain.”
Another of Twiston-Davies' star attractions, Bristol De Mai, has no such problems with the current conditions, with the trainer confirming the seven-year-old is likely to run in this month's Betfair Chase at Haydock Park.
“He will run in the Betfair,” Twiston_Davies added. “As long as there is decent ground at Haydock, he will be there. He has been really good at home.”
