The New Lion in knockout shape and 'very talented' 40-1 shot with Martin Pipe aim - what I learned visiting Dan Skelton

Dan Skelton hosted a Jockey Club press event at his Alcester yard on Friday morning and discussed his talented team for the Cheltenham Festival. Here we pick out some of the key talking points

The New Lion ‘can do it all’

Dan Skelton saved the most superlatives for leading Turners Novices’ Hurdle candidate The New Lion, who looked in terrific condition ahead of his big festival date.

The unbeaten six-year-old will run in the colours of JP McManus for the first time next month and really caught the eye among the horses paraded.

Skelton said: “He looks in outstanding condition and his coat is one of the most forward of all our horses. I love his attitude and Harry [Skelton] loves riding him, He’s very adaptable and can do it all.

“The season has gone beautifully with him. When we started schooling him on grass in the autumn he did something that other horses can’t do at that point – his brain and ability was there to see. I’m super happy with him.”

“Bring them on” was the sentiment from Skelton regarding the opposition, while stating he has a lot of respect for Final Demand and The Yellow Clay, and similar comments applied to Majborough, who is the chief threat to L’Eau Du Sud’s Arkle bid.

Skelton said: “L’Eau Du Sud has course form, he is very versatile and he has lots of experience. There’s nothing I don’t like about his chances. I have a lot of respect for Majborough but I really like our horse and think he will make it look closer than the prices suggest.”

L'Eau Du Sud was paraded for the press at Dan Skelton's media morningCredit: The Jockey Club/Megan Dent photography

Aintree on the agenda

Skelton is unlikely to divert from his original plan to target the bet365 Premier Chase at Kelso next Saturday followed by Aintree’s Grand National meeting with Grey Dawning.

Britain’s leading trainer feels there could be place money up for grabs in the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup behind Galopin Des Champs but thinks it will be most beneficial for Grey Dawning to target the other two races.

Skelton said: “The Gold Cup picture is a little muddy beyond the favourite but that is because of the strength of Galopin Des Champs. In the short term, it seems the right thing to do is target Kelso and Aintree, and in the long term it could give him the experience to potentially come back as a Gold Cup contender next season.”

Other horses set to head to Aintree rather than Cheltenham include Rendlesham Hurdle winner Gwennie May Boy, who is likely to miss the Pertemps Final in favour of a tilt at the Liverpool Hurdle, and Triumph entry Live Conti, who could have “a real chance” in the Boodles Anniversary 4-Y-O Juvenile Hurdle in April.

Under the radar Grade 1 hope

The progressive Take No Chances was described as a “Placepot bettor’s dream” by Skelton and he believes she can be in the mix in the Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle – particularly if Brighterdaysahead and Lossiemouth are aimed at the Champion Hurdle.

Take No Chances was given an opening mark of 117 in January last year and has improved by 23lb. She beat Kargese at Ascot last month and is 10-1 for the Mares’ Hurdle – odds that could shorten if the top two head elsewhere.

Mares' Hurdle hope Take No ChancesCredit: Jockey Club/Megan Dent photography

Skelton said: “She’s on a roll and will give her best, and if Brighterdaysahead and Lossiemouth head to the Champion Hurdle and it turns into a bit of a fight, it’s not beyond the realms of possibility she’s involved at the business end. She’s very reliable and, if they give her a sniff, she’ll take it.”

Pick of the handicappers?

Skelton nominated Be Aware as his best chance in the handicaps and another prime candidate in that division is Pertemps entry Catch Him Derry.

The lightly raced seven-year-old is guaranteed a run – provided he is set to carry 10st 2lb or above – after winning a qualifier at Exeter this month and could be a big player off a nice weight if there is juice in the ground. He is 16-1.

Dan Skelton is bidding to increase his haul of ten Cheltenham Festival winnersCredit: Jockey Club/Megan Dent photography

“He wasn’t quite right behind after being pulled up at Haydock and I don’t think I had him fit enough at Cheltenham,” said Skelton. “He improved fitness-wise from Cheltenham to Exeter and he’s going to have a nice racing weight. If the ground is soft, I could see him running a big race.”

Nurse Susan has a 4-7 record and is being aimed at the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle rather than the Mares’ Hurdle. She could start a good deal shorter than her 40-1 odds, despite not having run since January 2024.

Skelton said: “She’s very talented and under normal circumstances I would give her a massive chance. I’ve been a bit against it with time with her though. I think she’ll run well but she will improve for the run.”

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