THE second day of the Cheltenham Festival kicked off with another thrilling finish, as The New Lion (3/1) rallied to win the Grade 1 Turners Novices’ Hurdle for Dan Skelton, on his first start in the silks of J.P. McManus.

Potters Charm led them until the second last, from which the race looked between the Challow Novices’ Hurdle winner, Gordon Elliott’s The Yellow Clay and Willie Mullins’ unbeaten Final Demand. Jack Kennedy led into the straight, as Paul Townend delivered a serious challenge aboard the favourite, while Harry Skelton gave chase.

The New Lion was switched right to throw a fine leap at the last, which Final Demand blundered at, leaving Skelton’s charge to rally alongside The Yellow Clay. Battling neck and neck, The New Lion led from 110 yards out, as Skelton punched the air three parts of a length in front.

Faith repaid

Dan Skelton has never disguised the esteem in which he holds The New Lion, as he acknowledged after the horse’s second Grade 1 win. “Our mouths probably ran away with us a bit early in the season, but he just looked so good,” the trainer said.

“Harry gave him an outstanding ride there - so patient. What a great ride, and the horse was phenomenal. I always believed he would win, in my heart. It just felt like it would take a very good one to get past this horse. We found him as an unbroken three-year-old in an indoor school, actually where I was born at Sandal House Farm, and it just felt like it was meant to be all the way through.

“It’s unusual territory - I’m not new to this game anymore, so I can’t say that, but I’m new to these horses. He can do things the other horses can’t.”

The New Lion becomes the first British-trained winner of the race since 2017, when Willoughby Court scored for Ben Pauling, and J.P. McManus’ first since Istabraq in 1997. It also marked an 80th Festival success for the leading owner.

Fine efforts in defeat

On runner-up The Yellow Clay, trainer Gordon Elliott commented: “He ran a brilliant race and Jack (Kennedy) has given him a peach of a ride and I couldn’t be happier with him. He is a good horse.

“I thought we got a beautiful run throughout the race and I don’t think there were any excuses anywhere. There was no hard luck story.”

Willie Mullins made no excuses for Final Demand, either, saying: “He ran a really good race, but he was just not good enough on the day. The New Lion was a very good winner, but we look forward to going chasing with our lad next season.”