It was victory for England in the opening race of Style Wednesday as The New Lion won the Turners Novices’ Hurdle.
Two horses based in Gloucestershire, Potters Charm and Sixmilebridge, led the way until the third last fence before the three favourites charged to the front.
The New Lion, Final Demand and The Yellow Clay all jumped the last together, but it was the duo of Dan and Harry Skelton that celebrated as The New Lion won by half a length over The Yellow Clay, with Final Demand dropping off and coming home in third place.
The Big Three raced all the way!
— ITV Racing (@itvracing) March 12, 2025
But it's The New Lion who reigns supreme in the Turners Novices' Hurdle 🟡🟢#ITVRacing | #CheltenhamFestival pic.twitter.com/TF6Fs2A88M
Results:
1st: The New Lion (3/1)
2nd: The Yellow Clay (IRE) (5/2)
3rd Final Demand (IRE) (6/4F)
Jockey Reaction – Harry Skelton
“He’s got it all, you hope one day in your life that you can come across a good one and he’s a good one.
“I’m just delighted he’s come here and done it on the day. Ever since I’ve ridden this horse, I just thought that he’s something different. He’s taken his time to come to hand but it’s a masterful bit of training from Dan [Skelton].”
Trainer Reaction – Dan Skelton
“He is a very special horse, I trusted him the whole way round there. Harry [Skelton] has given him an unbelievably good ride and trusted him as much as I did from the stands, and going down to the last hurdle it got tight but I knew he’d win.
“It was sublime, he’s a phenomenal horse. It was a great race, great novices and I’m very proud of this horse.
“We’ve got a lot of good horses, but I haven’t had one that can do things like this one.”
