'Cheltenham is the best route to go on the way to a Champion Hurdle' - The New Lion set to miss Kempton and wait for Trials day

Dan Skelton is prepared to give stable star The New Lion an extended break and head to Cheltenham on Trials day next month after his fall in last week's Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle.

Last season's Cheltenham Festival winner was leading the Fighting Fifth when he fell at the second-last, which resulted in Golden Ace landing the second Grade 1 of her career.

The New Lion was one of two fallers in the race – Constitution Hill came down at the second hurdle – and although he is reported to be sound and well by Skelton, he is likely to miss the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton on Boxing Day and head straight to the Unibet Hurdle (registered as the International) at Cheltenham on January 24.

The New Lion fell at the second-last in the Fighting FifthCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Skelton said: "I think we'll probably wait and go for the Unibet Hurdle. I think the Christmas Hurdle will likely come too soon. There's an emphasis on speed around there and I think Cheltenham is the best route to go on the way to a Champion Hurdle, so I'd imagine you'll see him on Trials day."

The Fighting Fifth represented a drop in trip for The New Lion, having been campaigned over longer distances during his unbeaten novice campaign, but Skelton is in no doubt that the six-year-old can be a leading player in the two-mile division this season.

Dan Skelton: "I feel he'll be a big player come March"Credit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

Speaking on ITV's Opening Show, Skelton said: "The most important thing I saw was how he coped with going that strong two-mile pace, and there was absolutely no issue with that. Although we ended up on the floor with no result, which was highly frustrating, I was happy with how he coped with that speed."

The plan for The New Lion remains the Champion Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in the spring, and Skelton is hopeful he can return to his best after his minor setback.

He said: "In my mind, he's a two-miler, and I feel he'll be a big player come March. You'll be hearing me talking rather bullish about him, and I hope we get a nice smooth run between now and then."

Skelton conducted a full investigation after The New Lion's fall and was pleased with how the horse came out of the race, despite losing his unbeaten record.

He said: "The most important thing after last Saturday is that he's okay. He was 100 per cent sound on Monday morning, and everyone has checked him over – vets, physios – and everyone's very happy with him. He's cantered every day since."

Kempton 'tempting' for Greatwood winner

One horse who is under consideration for the Christmas Hurdle is Alexei, with Joe Tizzard becoming increasingly tempted by the prospect of pitching his rising star into Grade 1 company.

Alexei has flourished this autumn with valuable handicap wins at Ascot and Cheltenham, results that have seen the handicapper hike him up 20lbs to a mark of 147.

Alexei: impressive winner of the Greatwood HurdleCredit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

Speaking after Sunset Marquesa's win at Sandown, Tizzard did not firmly commit to Kempton but raised it as a possibility.

Tizzard said: "It’s a difficult one, the Christmas Hurdle looks to be opening up. It’ll be Ascot [for the Ladbrokes Handicap Hurdle on December 20] or Kempton.

“The first people I bumped into were Garth and Anne Broom and I said ‘have you seen the headlines? The New Lion’s not going’. You’ve got to be tempted.”

Unibet Champion Hurdle (Cheltenham, March 10)
Unibet: 2 Lossiemouth, 7-2 Sir Gino, 5 The New Lion, 8 William Munny, 14 Constitution Hill, Golden Ace, Wodhooh, 16 Anzadam, 20 bar.

Read these next:

'We must be everybody's nemesis!' - Jeremy Scott's star Golden Ace springs another huge upset in a dramatic Fighting Fifth 

Sir Gino enters Champion Hurdle picture and installed as second favourite - but Nicky Henderson rules out retirement for Constitution Hill 

'We aren't backing out' - Dan Skelton is on fire and has L'Eau Du Sud primed for Tingle Creek blockbuster 

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