The New Lion Shaping Up Well For Potential Trials Day Blockbuster

Dan Skelton is relishing a potential Cheltenham Festival Trials day face-off versus Sir Gino with The New Lion after acutely observing the best of the action over the festive period.


The front-runner for the fitness instructors' title has actually been unfaltering in his belief his Festival winner has all the qualities to land the two-mile hurdling masterpiece in March, regardless of falling in a remarkable Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle.


And although enjoying on while lots of have actually been mentioning their Cheltenham claims, Skelton has continued to be with his progress as he builds towards a Champ Hurdle dress practice session in the Unibet Hurdle at Prestbury Park on January 24.


Skelton stated: "The New Lion got on New Year's Day and leapt beautiful. We've jumped him 3 times because he fell which's the happiest we've been with him.


"It seems like we may clash with Sir 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 picture of a few of the Festival's biggest events, Skelton included: "Grey Dawning looks fantastic along with The New Lion, so we enjoy with what we've got and our plan.


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


"I think it's a really open Gold Cup because there are a lot of quality horses and I think it's ending up being a somewhat more focused Champion Hurdle. Sir Gino looked excellent (in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton on Boxing Day) and very quick, so I would state he's going to be very difficult to beat."