Monday 24 November 2014 12:32, UK
Sam Twiston-Davies admitted to feeling a sense of relief after steering odds-on shot The New One to victory at Haydock on Saturday.
Riding for his father, trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies, the jockey felt the Betfair Price Rush Hurdle was his to lose on the stable star.
Last season's Champion Hurdle third and Aintree Hurdle winner had made a successful reappearance at Kempton last month, albeit one that featured a jumping lapse or two.
"He was very good. He went out a touch to his right which we can iron out at home, but his jumping was a lot better," the rider told At The Races.
"At Kempton he was a little bit ignorant and has obviously done a little bit more at home just to give the hurdles a bit more respect. He showed it worked and he jumped well on the whole.
"It was good Zamdy Man was going to make it a true gallop and stretch you out. Looking at the form, you know Zamdy Man was going to take you way up the straight and ideally take us all the way down to the last and my horse picked up well from there.
"With him it's a relief. The Champion Hurdle is one of the few races I do enjoy riding him in because you have three or four other fancied ones and the pressure is off you a little bit.
"When you ride in races like Saturday's and he's 1/3, the race is mine to lose so when it does go right it's a relief and I'm delighted for the team at home and Dad as well.
"He's stronger this year. He was very good and hopefully if he can do similar (to last season) we'll be very happy."
