NAUNTON trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies endured a frustrating Boxing Day meeting at Kempton.

The New One (5/1), partnered by his jockey son Sam, was an unsurprising second behind Nicky Henderson’s massive favourite Buveur D’air (2/11) in the Unibet Christmas Hurdle by two-and-a-quarter lengths.

But then 3/1 hope Bristol De Mai and Daryl Jacob could only finish sixth in the 32Red King George VI Chase which again went to a Henderson favourite in Might Bite (6/4).

Earlier, the fancied Ballyoptic (11/4) and Sam Twiston-Davies were last out of four finishers from seven starters in the 32Red Kauto Star Novices’ Chase.

Popular The New One, who was second in the hurdle three times before, has won the Welsh Champion Hurdle this season and finished second in the International at Cheltenham.

Bourton-on-the-Water trainer Ben Pauling missed out on the top 32Red Download The App Handicap Hurdle prize in Surrey but got second and third.

The 3/1 favourite Kildisart was runner-up six lengths ahead of stable-mate Jaleo (14/1) in third.

Meanwhile, Pauling’s Cheltenham Festival hero Willoughby Court remains on course to return to Prestbury Park in the Betbright Dipper Novices’ Chase on New Year’s Day.

March’s Neptune Investment Management Novices’ Hurdle winner did not entirely convince with his jumping on his chasing debut at Huntingdon in November but was more sure-footed when claiming the scalp of Yanworth in a Grade Two at Newbury earlier this month.

Pauling was thrilled with his six-year-old’s latest blowout on the gallops and is excited to get him back into action at Cheltenham.

He said: “I could not be happier with Willoughby Court.

“He had an easy time after Newbury, just ticking over, and has done his first piece of work now.

“It was fabulous and it is all systems go for Cheltenham on New Year’s Day.”