'Harry told me not to worry - he just wins' - The New Lion thrills Skeltons with stunning Challow Hurdle win

The Challow Novices' Hurdle has often revealed a superstar and The New Lion produced a breathtaking performance to leave Dan Skelton purring at his future.

Owned by Darren and Annaley Yates, the five-year-old enhanced his burgeoning reputation under a confident Harry Skelton ride to finish four and three-quarter lengths clear of Wendigo.

The New Lion was still on the bridle approaching the final flight before breezing clear to record an impressive top-level victory, joining an honours list that includes Champ, Barters Hill and Denman. 

Skelton said: "That was incredible. In terms of novice hurdlers, he's probably as good as I've ever had. Everyone else can make comparisons, but I always say I'll defend my horses and I won't inflate them, we'll let the track do that. I'm delighted and he's just got it all.

"We always hoped he'd put in a performance like that one day but actually getting it done is a different matter. I had it in mind I wanted to be here for this, so I made sure I trained him right for it. 

"I thought he'd win, but I didn't necessarily think he'd go and do something like that. They went a really strong gallop and he's got a good way of going. Some horses are born with that sort of knowledge, it's not an ability, it’s knowledge of how to race and he knew how to do it before we even taught him to."

The New Lion: produces an 'incredible' win for Dan and Harry SkeltonCredit: Edward Whitaker

The New Lion was cut to 3-1 favourite (from 16) with Sky Bet for the Turners Novices' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival, and Skelton indicated he would head straight there. 

He said: "I don't see the benefit of going elsewhere, and I don't see the track being an issue because he has the ability to travel. The horses who get found out at Cheltenham are the ones who can't get round the bends quick enough. He doesn't lack any of that.

"He's so unassuming but it's lovely to have one of those because so many of them are difficult. When you get one that just slips along it shows what they can be."

While a generous offer has already been made to buy the impressive Challow winner, Darren Yates is dreaming of more big days ahead for his promising novice.

He said: "We got offered a lot of money for him, but I told Dan I was sticking with him because he could be a once-in-a-lifetime horse.

"He said The New Lion was as good as he's had before he even ran him in a bumper, but you never really believe it. A few people after his last run here said he didn't look impressive but Harry told me not to worry because he just wins."

Jamie Snowden expressed his delight at seeing 25-1 shot Wendigo finish runner-up on his first venture into Grade 1 company.

He said: "We knew the enormity of the task on our hands – taking on that calibre of opposition – but we believed he was a nice horse. He was very unexposed and he won very nicely at Ludlow, so he deserved his place in the line-up."

Regent's Stroll was a well-backed 5-4 favourite but failed to trouble the principals, only keeping on at the same pace for fourth after racing keenly.

Nicholls said: "I know full well he's a very smart horse but he didn't run his race and he has to learn to relax. We have to get some experience into him in a lower grade so he learns how to race."

Turners Novices’ Hurdle (Cheltenham, March 12)
Sky Bet: 3 The New Lion, 7 Potters Charm, 8 Jasmin De Vaux, 12 Kaid D’Authie, 14 bar.

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