The Brand-new Lion Shaping Up Well For Potential Trials Day Blockbuster

Dan Skelton is delighting in a prospective Cheltenham Festival Trials day showdown versus Sir Gino with The New Lion after acutely observing the best of the action over the festive duration.


The front-runner for the trainers' title has actually 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 .


And although enjoying on while many have actually been stating their Cheltenham claims, Skelton has actually continued to be delighted with his progress as he develops towards a Champion Hurdle dress practice session in the Unibet Hurdle at Prestbury Park on January 24.


Skelton said: "The New Lion leapt on New Year's Day and leapt gorgeous. We've leapt him 3 times considering that he fell which's the happiest we've been with him.


"It seems like we may encounter Sir Gino on Trials day and we 'd look forward to that."


Set to join 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 two of the 2025 Cheltenham Festival at Cheltenham Racecourse. Picture date: Wednesday March 12, 2025.


Assessing the photo of some of the Festival's greatest events, Skelton added: "Grey Dawning looks wonderful as well as The New Lion, so we more than happy with what we've got and our plan.


"Whether the others reveal their hand now or not till March, we understand the opposition is going to be hard to beat.


"I believe it's an extremely open Gold Cup because there are many quality horses and I believe it's becoming a slightly more concentrated Champion Hurdle. Sir Gino looked really excellent (in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton on Boxing Day) and very fast, so I would say he's going to be very hard to beat."