Skelton extends lead at top of Jockeys’ Cup

A thrilling success on The New Lion on the opening race of day two of the Cheltenham Festival was the mainstay of a good afternoon for David Power Jockeys’ Cup leader Harry Skelton.

Skelton had to be at his best to drive his brother Dan’s stable star to the front after the final flight of the Turners Novices’ Hurdle and the 3/1 chance held on from The Yellow Clay to record a three-quarters-of-a-length success.

Skelton also picked up points on Unexpected Party who found just one too good in his bid to land back-to-back Grand Annuals.

The other big winner on the day was Nico De Boinville, who picked up 16 points thanks to two runner-up efforts, though it may not feel like it for the leading rider after Jonbon failed to land the Queen Mother Champion Chase due to a serious error before halfway.

Though well down the Jockeys’ Cup leaderboard, Paul Townend picked up more points on the week despite failing to ride a winner.