Darren Yates: ‘I mentioned the Champion Hurdle to Dan for The New Lion and had a lot of swear words fired back at me!’
Owner Darren Yates thinks ultra-impressive Challow Novices’ Hurdle winner The New Lion has a mix of speed and stamina that could make him a future Champion Hurdle or Gold Cup prospect.
The New Lion extended his unbeaten record to four on Saturday with a stylish Grade 1 success under Harry Skelton in the Newbury feature, a race with an honour roll including Denman, Reve De Sivola and Bravemansgame in the last two decades.
The Dan Skelton-trained five-year-old is now a best price 100-30 favourite to win the Turners Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival, with Yates and his wife Annaley seeking a breakthrough success at the big meeting.
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