New Lion’s ‘hat firmly in ring’ for Champion Hurdle

Trainer Dan Skelton pleased his star put in a clear round and showed the requisite speed

The New Lion ridden by Harry Skelton on the way to winning the Unibet Hurdle during Festival Trials Day at Cheltenham Racecourse. Picture: Nigel French/PA

Dan Skelton believes The New Lion threw his hat “firmly in the ring” for the Unibet Champion Hurdle with victory at Cheltenham on Saturday.

While the race was overshadowed by a season-ending injury to Sir Gino, some were left underwhelmed by The New Lion’s one-and-a-half-length victory over Nemean Lion, who was conceding 3lb to the winner.