The New Lion Shaping Up Well For Potential Trials Day Blockbuster
Dan Skelton is relishing a prospective Cheltenham Festival Trials day showdown versus Sir Gino with The New Lion after acutely observing the best of the action over the joyful period.
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 masterpiece in March, in spite of falling in a significant Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle.
And although seeing on while lots of have actually been mentioning their Cheltenham claims, Skelton has actually continued to be pleased with his development as he builds towards a Champ Hurdle gown rehearsal in the Unibet Hurdle at Prestbury Park on January 24.
Skelton stated: "The New Lion jumped on New Year's Day and jumped beautiful. We have actually leapt him three times given that he fell and that's the happiest we've been with him.
"It seems like we might encounter Sir Gino on Trials day and we 'd anticipate that."
Set to sign up with The New Lion at Cheltenham later 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 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 biggest occasions, Skelton added: " looks wonderful as well as The New Lion, so we more than happy with what we've got and our strategy.
"Whether the others show their hand now or not up until March, we understand the opposition is going to be tough to beat.
"I believe it's a very open Gold Cup due to the fact that there are numerous quality horses and I think it's ending up being a somewhat more focused Champion Hurdle. Sir Gino looked great (in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton on Boxing Day) and really fast, so I would state he's going to be extremely hard to beat."