The New Lion Wins Unibet Hurdle, But Cheltenham Feature Marred By

Dan Skelton's The New Lion won the Unibet Hurdle at Cheltenham but the race was spoiled by an injury to Sir Gino.


Billed as a match in between possibly the two best two-mile hurdlers in Britain, both were biding their time in the four-runner race when Sir Gino appeared to land awkwardly at the flight at the top of the hill and Nico de Boinville pulled him up.


Harry Skelton was content to take a lead for as long as possible on The New Lion, a winner over two miles and 5 furlongs at the Festival in March, before he asked him to quicken approaching the last.


and Brentford Hope proved difficult foes, before The New Lion (9-4) eventually got on top to win by a length and a half.


Skelton said: "I'm a huge fan of this sport and Sir Gino could be the finest horse in training and we simply didn't need that. We're all thinking it and we simply hope he is OK, it is essential.


"The group at Seven Barrows have been through hell and back to get him back on track and ideally he is OK."


The New Lion ridden by Harry Skelton (right) passes Brentford Hope ridden by Paul O ´ Brien en route to winning the Unibet Hurdle during Festival Trials Day at Cheltenham Racecourse. Picture date: Saturday January 24, 2026.


Of his winner he added: "We required to get a clear round after Newcastle and Harry did precisely what I desired him to do and held him into the bottom of all the jumps. He was a lot more considerate today and even down to the last Harry is battling him getting him into the bottom of them as he'll need those dives in a Champ Hurdle.


"The unanswered concern with this horse is the speed angle and I believed he revealed a great deal of speed at Newcastle despite us winding up on the flooring. He showed a great deal of speed there as well from turning in to the last and after that from the last to the line.


"It will be a totally various race in the Champion Hurdle and they have actually gone round there at a crawl and I'm not saying I could have layed up together with them but there is some who could."


Harry Skelton stated: "I didn't even know what took place to Sir Gino and the three people stated at the top of the hill 'where is Nico?' and you do not want that to happen. Hopefully they are both OK.


"We just desired to get a lead and Nico desired a lead as well and it simply shows you, that leading up to the Festival you desire these horses coming through these trials well and I'm just pleased he's got a clear round.


"We hacked round and ran and he's not except an equipment and it just put a few good manners on him a bit today. He's just young, doesn't have much experience and did what I wanted him to do and it will do his confidence excellent. Hopefully he will come back now in March.


"I have actually ridden in a Champion Hurdle and have not won one, but I wish to."