The first meeting between Sir Gino and The New Lion, the top two in the Champion Hurdle betting, is among the highlights of Trials Day at Cheltenham on Saturday but every contest on the eight-race card will offer pointers towards the festival and owner-of-the-moment Harry Redknapp will hope to see another big-race contender emerge in his colours in the concluding race.
Redknapp’s attempt to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup, the blue riband of chasing, with The Jukebox Man, his recent King George VI Chase winner, already looks sure to be the biggest story at this year’s festival. It never hurts to have strength in depth at Cheltenham in March, however, and a win for Taurus Bay in the Grade Two AIS Novice Hurdle would see him shoot towards the market leaders for the Turners Novice Hurdle.
