New Lion ready to pounce on day one

CHELTENHAM 2026 - DAY ONE

- By CHRIS WRIGHT

by Harry Skelton, will be looking for glory in the Unibet Champion Hurdle Trophy on day one

THE NEW LION can roar to victory in the Unibet Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy (GBB Race) (4pm) on the opening day of the Festival.

Dan Skelton's six-year-old stormed to victory 12 months ago, landing the 2m5f Grade One Turners Novices’ Hurdle in fine style.

It was the fifth straight success of his fledgling hurdling career and came on the back of another Grade One victory over 2m4f in the Challow Hurdle at Newbury.

Despite those successes being over further than the two miles of the Champion Hurdle, the JP McManus-owned The New Lion is no slouch and should have the speed to triumph.

He suffered his only career defeat when falling in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle in December but was back on track with victory in the 2m1f Grade Two Unibet Hurdle on Cheltenham Festival Trials Day at Prestbury Park in January.

Last year's winner Golden Ace from the Jeremy Scott stable, the Willie Mullins-trained two-time Festival-winning mare Lossiemouth and Gordon Elliott’s Dublin Racing Festival scorer Brighterdaysahead look to be the chief dangers. While Joe Tizzard's improving Alexei and the Paul Nicholls-trained Tutti Quanti are interesting outsiders stepping up into Grade One company.

But The New Lion can give the Skeltons a first success in a Cheltenham championship contest.