Ridden by Harry Skelton for his brother Dan, the son of Kayf Tara was recently purchased for an undisclosed sum by McManus following an impressive win in the Grade 1 Challow Hurdle at Newbury.

Despite the very poor record of Challow Hurdle winners in the Turners’ Novice – 0 from 20 – prior to today, The New Lion looked comfortable throughout the two mile five furlongs contest.

With Gordon Elliott’s The Yellow Clay (5/2) leading into the home straight, race favourite Final Demand (6/4) from the Willie Mullins yard soon challenged on his outside, before The New Lion easily joined both before the final flight.

Though the six-year-old The New Lion had to reach for the final flight, he remained composed under Harry Skelton to win by three-quarters of a length.

The winning rider said:

“We always had belief in him. We knew there was something a bit different about him when we got him. He needed to mature, and he’s come here and done it in the one that really matters. That’s a big thing.”

The Jack Kennedy-ridden The Yellow Clay, winner at Naas in January, was runner-up for Bective Stud and Gordon Elliott, with the handler admitting:

“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.”

Final Demand was four and three-quarter lengths further back in third for Paul Townend and Willie Mullins.

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