Harry Skelton looking forward to next chapter with The New Lion

The New Lion’s first run in the silks of his new owner JP McManus is likely to be at the Cheltenham Festival in March, with Dan and Harry Skelton “delighted” he is staying in their Warwickshire yard.

The six-year-old is unbeaten in a bumper and three hurdles starts, most recently landing the Grade One Challow Novices’ Hurdle at Newbury in the manner of a very talented performer.

He was at that stage owned by Darren Yates, who named him as a nod to his former star Blaklion, but is now intending wrap up his racing interests.

McManus acquired the Kayf Tara gelding following his Challow success and intends to keep him with Dan Skelton, who will now turn his attention towards the Cheltenham Festival for the gelding’s next run.

Remaining in the saddle will be the trainer’s brother, Harry, who said in his blog for Star Sports: “We’re delighted that we’re going to keep him in the yard after Darren’s decision to sell him.

“We’re very much looking forward to his future and hopefully he is lucky for JP.

“He did everything that we hoped he would do at Newbury. We could never have dreamed he would do it as impressively as he did, but myself and Dan always believed in him and we always thought he had the makings of a Grade One horse, so it was great to realise that belief in the Challow.

“He’ll head to Cheltenham now and he’ll probably have entries in both the Supreme and the Turners, with stepping up to three miles for the Albert Bartlett less likely. We’ll see what suits him best, but it looks like the two-mile five-furlong race (Turners Novices’ Hurdle) is his most likely destination at this stage.