Jockey Harry Skelton celebrated an emotional victory at Cheltenham as Panic Attack stormed to success in the prestigious Paddy Power Gold Cup Handicap Chase, delivering a significant boost to his brother Dan's National Hunt trainers' championship aspirations.
New Yard, New Success
The nine-year-old mare, given a fresh lease of life since joining the Dan Skelton yard, produced a spectacular performance to secure a 6-1 success in the season's first major handicap chase. Panic Attack demonstrated impressive form to defeat the favourite, Vicenzo, by four lengths in a display that thrilled racing enthusiasts.
This victory marked a particularly sweet moment for trainer Dan Skelton, who recorded his first ever win in this significant early-season contest. The triumph came just days after Skelton became the first trainer this season to pass £1 million in prize money following another success on Friday's card.
Financial and Championship Implications
The win proved financially rewarding for the Skelton stable, with Panic Attack's victory securing the £91,000 first prize. The successful day was further enhanced when another Skelton-trained runner, Hoe Joly Smoke, claimed third place, adding £17,000 to the yard's earnings.
Speaking after the race, an optimistic Dan Skelton acknowledged his strengthened position in the championship race. "That [the title] is a long way off but it's fairly obvious that we've got the best team we've ever had," he commented. "But there's no point knocking on the door, they've got to keep going through it."
The trainer emphasised the advantage of operating with a larger team, noting: "The horses of yesteryear were brilliant and they got through plenty of doors, but when you've got a bigger team, it just feels easier."
Championship Landscape
Following this significant success, bookmaker Paddy Power now makes Skelton a 2-5 chance to claim his first trainers' championship. This represents a strong position for the handler, who has seen victory slip away in the final weeks of the past two seasons, both times edged out by Irish powerhouse Willie Mullins.
Mullins, seeking a third consecutive title, is currently priced at 7-4, while Paul Nicholls, who requires one more championship to equal Martin Pipe's record of 15 titles, remains a 16-1 outsider in the early season betting.
The performance of Panic Attack, a mare revitalised by her change of scenery, demonstrates the competitive strength of the Skelton operation this season and sets up what promises to be another thrilling battle for National Hunt racing's top training honour.
