The Brand-new Lion Team Counting down to 'Cracking ´ Cheltenham Feature

It might be an interesting afternoon for JP McManus at Cheltenham on Saturday - and connections of The New Lion are anticipating "a splitting race" when their Festival winner lines up for a Champ Hurdle dress rehearsal versus Sir Gino in the Unibet Hurdle.


Already the very first and 2nd favourites for the Festival's opening-day masterpiece, the duo are the star tourist attractions on Trials day, with Dan Skelton's course winner said to be in top kind as he attempts to compensate his fall in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle in late November.


"Dan seems to be really happy and we're looking forward to Saturday, it will be a splitting race," stated McManus' racing supervisor, Frank Berry.


"We'll understand a lot more about him after Saturday and you have actually got to be delighted to see him out on an excellent day's racing.


"It will be a great race against Sir Gino and I guess we'll both discover a lot and see where we slot in. It's one to look forward to and ideally he runs really well."


The New Lion was bought by McManus prior to winning the Turners Novices' Hurdle at last year's flagship meeting and would offer the legendary owner a record-extending 10th Champion Hurdle if effective in the spring.


The New Lion ridden by Harry Skelton (left) wins the Turners Novices ´ Hurdle on day 2 of the 2025 Cheltenham Festival at Cheltenham Racecourse. Picture date: Wednesday March 12, 2025.


When asked if there is genuine hope The New Lion might end up being the very first to bring the green and gold to magnificence in the race given that Epatante in 2020, Berry included: "He's got a bit to go to show he's at that stage yet and we'll keep dreaming and Saturday will tell us a lot more."


McManus and Nicky Henderson might be on opposing sides in the Unibet Hurdle, however look most likely to team up in the Pertemps Network Cleeve Hurdle where Long Walk hero Impose Toi will be out to include another triumph to a currently outstanding campaign.


"I believe it's the objective to run," added Berry.


"He lost his way a bit but is back in top kind this year and has actually the great ground.


"It was an excellent efficiency at Ascot in the Long Walk in what looked an excellent race on the day. Hopefully he can keep his great run of form going."