The New Lion Shaping Up Well For Potential Trials Day Blockbuster
Dan Skelton is relishing a potential Cheltenham Festival Trials day showdown versus Sir Gino with The New Lion after acutely observing the very best of the action over the festive duration.
The front-runner for the fitness instructors' title has been unfaltering in his belief his Festival winner has all the qualities to land the two-mile hurdling showpiece in March, in spite of falling in a dramatic Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle.
And although seeing on while numerous have actually been mentioning their Cheltenham claims, Skelton has actually continued to be happy with his development as he builds towards a Champ Hurdle dress wedding rehearsal in the Unibet Hurdle at Prestbury Park on January 24.
Skelton stated: "The New Lion got on New Year's Day and jumped gorgeous. We have actually jumped him 3 times since he fell and that's the happiest we've been with him.
"It sounds like we may Gino on Trials day and we 'd look forward to that."
Set to sign up with The New Lion at Cheltenham later on this month is Skelton's Betfair Chase hero Grey Dawning, who will put his Gold Cup credentials to the test in the Cotswold Chase.
The New Lion ridden by Harry Skelton (left) gestures after winning the Turners Novices ´ Hurdle on day 2 of the 2025 Cheltenham Festival at Cheltenham Racecourse. Picture date: Wednesday March 12, 2025.
Assessing the photo of a few of the Festival's most significant occasions, Skelton included: "Grey Dawning looks wonderful in addition to The New Lion, so we're happy with what we have actually got and our plan.
"Whether the others show their hand now or not up until March, we know the opposition is going to be difficult to beat.
"I think it's an extremely open Gold Cup since there are a lot of quality horses and I think it's ending up being a slightly more concentrated Champion Hurdle. Sir Gino looked great (in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton on Boxing Day) and very rapid, so I would say he's going to be extremely difficult to beat."