Darren Yates: ‘I called the Champion Hurdle against Dan for The New Lion and a lot of swear words were fired at me!’

Owner Darren Yates finds the 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 contender.

The New Lion extended its unbeaten record to four on Saturday with a classy Grade 1 success under Harry Skelton in the Newbury race, a race with a roll of honor including Denman, Reve De Sivola and Bravemansgame over the past twenty years.

The Dan Skelton-trained five-year-old is now a best price 100-30 favorite to win the Turners Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival, with Yates and his wife Annaley looking for a breakthrough success at the big meeting.

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Published on December 30, 2024in Great Britain

Last updated 6:00 PM, December 30, 2024