The New Lion Shaping Up Well For Potential Trials Day Blockbuster

Dan is enjoying a potential Cheltenham Festival Trials day face-off against Sir Gino with The New Lion after keenly observing the very best of the action over the joyful period.


The front-runner for the trainers' title has been unfaltering in his belief his Festival winner has all the qualities to land the two-mile hurdling masterpiece in March, despite falling in a dramatic Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle.


And although watching on while lots of have actually been mentioning their Cheltenham claims, Skelton has continued to be pleased with his development as he constructs towards a Champion Hurdle gown rehearsal in the Unibet Hurdle at Prestbury Park on January 24.


Skelton stated: "The New Lion jumped on New Year's Day and leapt gorgeous. We have actually jumped him 3 times given that he fell and that's the happiest we have actually been with him.


"It sounds like we may clash with Sir Gino on Trials day and we 'd anticipate that."


Set to join The New Lion at Cheltenham later this month is Skelton's Betfair Chase hero Grey Dawning, who will put his Gold Cup qualifications to the test in the Cotswold Chase.


The New Lion ridden by Harry Skelton (left) gestures after winning the Turners Novices ´ Hurdle on day two of the 2025 Cheltenham Festival at Cheltenham Racecourse. Picture date: Wednesday March 12, 2025.


Assessing the picture of some of the Festival's most significant events, Skelton added: "Grey Dawning looks wonderful as well as The New Lion, so we enjoy with what we've got and our plan.


"Whether the others show their hand now or not until March, we know the opposition is going to be tough to beat.


"I believe it's an extremely open Gold Cup since there are a lot of quality horses and I think it's ending up being a somewhat more concentrated Champion Hurdle. Sir Gino looked great (in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton on Boxing Day) and extremely rapid, so I would state he's going to be very hard to beat."