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

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


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


And although viewing on while numerous have been stating their Cheltenham claims, Skelton has actually to be pleased with his progress as he develops towards a Champion Hurdle dress rehearsal in the Unibet Hurdle at Prestbury Park on January 24.


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


"It seems like we may encounter Sir Gino on Trials day and we 'd eagerly anticipate 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 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 image of a few of the Festival's most significant events, Skelton added: "Grey Dawning looks great in addition to The New Lion, so we more than happy with what we have actually got and our strategy.


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


"I think it's a really open Gold Cup because there are so numerous 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 quick, so I would state he's going to be extremely hard to beat."