A fascinating clash between two of the top Champion Hurdle contenders is set for Trials Day at Cheltenham on Saturday as The New Lion and Sir Gino face off in the Grade 2 Unibet Hurdle. The remaining fields for Trials Day are also full of stars as we recap the headlines in the racing world for Friday 23 January.
Sir Gino & The New Lion top Trials Day billing while undercard full of stars
Champion Hurdle favourite Sir Gino faces his toughest test yet on Saturday as a clash with Turners Novices’ Hurdle hero The New Lion was confirmed. Nicky Henderson’s six-year-old is unbeaten in his career to date, completing a sumptuous return to action in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton, though The New Lion is yet to meet defeat when finishing his race, his only reverse coming when falling two out in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle last time out. Both will be looking to make a significant impact on the outlook of the Cheltenham Festival Tuesday feature when they meet in the Unibet Hurdle. (Racing Post)
The main race on the undercard of that heavyweight clash is the Cotswold Chase, in which Spillane’s Tower is to have a first taste of Cheltenham for trainer James Joseph Mangan. The two-time Grade 1 novice chase winner will be looking to recapture his best form over fences that saw him sent off favourite for the 2024 King George VI Chase, but will face a formidable opponent in Dan Skelton’s Betfair Chase winner Grey Dawning, as well as defending champion L’Homme Presse and dual Stayers’ Hurdle hero Flooring Porter. (At The Races)
All eyes will be on Prestbury Park throughout Saturday though, with six more races to enjoy which could also have a significant bearing on the 2026 Cheltenham Festival. The Cleeve Hurdle is a significant trial for the Stayers’ Hurdle and Impose Toi, the pre-eminent British contender for that contest, heads the line-up for Nicky Henderson, who could enjoy a big day courtesy of Act Of Innocence in the concluding Grade 2 novice hurdle. Triumph Hurdle hopefuls meet in the trial for that event too, with Maestro Conti and Minella Yoga clashing in that race. (Devon Live)
Now Is The Hour claims dramatic Thyestes
In a remarkable conclusion to the Thyestes Handicap Chase at Gowran Park on Thursday, Now Is The Hour ensured Gavin Cromwell’s yard roared back to form with a dramatic last-gasp success. The nine-year-old had been travelling strongly when falling in the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham last term, but after a tough season for Cromwell so far, this was a sweet triumph which saw his charge nail the JP McManus-owned Better Times Ahead on the line in gruelling conditions after Willie Mullins’ Spanish Harlem had unseated his rider when in front at the final fence. (Irish Independent)
Cheltenham Festival runners updates
There were some updates on potential Cheltenham Festival contenders on Thursday too, as Paul Nicholls confirmed that Regent’s Stroll is set to head straight for Cheltenham instead of a potential run at Sandown in the meantime. The expensive purchase is an intended runner in the Jack Richards Novices’ Handicap Chase, a race Nicholls won with the impressive Caldwell Potter in 2025. (Sporting Life)
Finally, there was word for the first time this season about Quilixios, who remains on course to run in this season’s Queen Mother Champion Chase and may well go there fresh according to rider Darragh O’Keeffe. Henry De Bromhead’s former Triumph Hurdle winner came down at the last when challenging eventual winner Marine Nationale in the 2025 edition and may well have his first run of this campaign at Cheltenham itself should he remain fit and well. (Racing TV)