Nigel Twiston-Davies has ruled stable star The New One out of the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton on St Stephen's Day meaning a showdown with Champion Hurdle favourite Faugheen will have to wait until the Cheltenham festival.

After easing to victory in the Grade Two International Hurdle at Cheltenham last week Twiston-Davies was considering running the six-year-old sensation against the Irish prospect at the King George meeting next week.

However he is opting to run The New One in the Champion Hurdle Trial at Haydock on January 17th instead, citing the need to give him more time.

Twiston-Davies said: “We’re going to miss Kempton and the plan is to go to Haydock on January 17, 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.”