Tritonic and Onemorefortheroad could be set for another tantalising clash after both were entered to stake their claim for Europe's richest handicap hurdle at Newbury in February.
Sent out eight days after his Ascot success, Tritonic was only able to finish fourth in the Grade 1 Christmas Hurdle on Boxing Day but is available at 16/1 to return to winning ways after benefiting from a break after Kempton, while Onemorefortheroad can be backed at 16/1.
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Tritonic edged last meeting
The Alan King-trained six-year-old came out the victor in the pair's last meeting at Ascot in December when he finished two-and-three-quarter lengths in front in the Grade 3 Betfair Exchange Trophy, and he will be aiming to repeat the performance in the Betfair Hurdle on February 12.
King said: "We ran him at Kempton and the handicapper dropped him a pound after that. I probably came back way too quick with him but I thought it was worth rolling the dice. He's had a good break since Kempton, came back cantering at the end of last week and looks in good form.
"He was good at Ascot where he powered away. I just felt that he improved a lot for the experience of running in the Greatwood Hurdle in November. Mentally he was much sharper for that first run in a very competitive handicap over hurdles. That brought him on and we saw the benefit of that at Ascot."
King's charge looking to add to Newbury record
Tritonic has landed three wins from seven starts over hurdles, having claimed success on the Flat at Newbury as a two-year-old under Oisin Murphy.
February's test could see him face Challow Novices' Hurdle winner Stage Star, trained by Paul Nicholls. Stage Star heads 39 entries for the Grade 3 £155,000 contest.
