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

It might be an amazing afternoon for JP McManus at Cheltenham on Saturday - and connections of The New Lion are expecting "a cracking 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 second favourites for the Festival's opening-day showpiece, the duo are the star destinations on Trials day, with Dan Skelton's course winner stated to be in top type as he attempts to compensate his fall in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle in late November.


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


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


"It will be a terrific race against Sir Gino and I think we'll both discover a lot and see where we slot in. It's one to anticipate 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 successful 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 real hope The New Lion could become the first to bring the green and gold to glory in the race given that Epatante in 2020, Berry included: "He's got a bit to go to reveal he's at that phase yet and we'll keep dreaming and Saturday will inform us a lot more."


McManus and Nicky Henderson might be on opposing sides in the Unibet Hurdle, but look most likely to collaborate in the Pertemps Network Cleeve Hurdle where Long Walk hero Impose Toi will be out to add another triumph to an already excellent project.


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


"He lost his method a bit however is back in top type this year and has been liking the good ground.


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