The new Lion Team Counting down to 'Splitting ´ Cheltenham Feature

It might be an amazing 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 on Trials day, with Dan Skelton's course winner stated to be in top kind as he attempts to atone for his fall in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle in late November.


"Dan appears to be extremely pleased and we're looking forward to Saturday, it will be a breaking race," said McManus' racing supervisor, Frank Berry.


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


"It will be a terrific race versus Sir Gino and I think we'll both discover a lot and see where we slot in. It's one to eagerly anticipate and hopefully he runs actually well."


The New Lion was bought by McManus prior to winning the Turners Novices' Hurdle at last year's flagship conference 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 two of the 2025 Cheltenham Festival at Cheltenham Racecourse. Picture date: Wednesday March 12, 2025.


When asked if there is real hope The New Lion could end up being the first to carry the green and gold to glory in the race since Epatante in 2020, Berry included: "He's got a bit to go to show he's at that phase yet and we'll keep dreaming and Saturday will inform us a lot more."


McManus and Nicky Henderson may be on opposing sides in the Unibet Hurdle, but look most likely to team up in the Pertemps Network Cleeve Hurdle where Long Walk hero Impose Toi will be out to include another victory to an already outstanding campaign.


"I think it's the intent to run," included Berry.


"He lost his way a bit but is back in leading form this year and has resembled the great ground.


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