Mare's Fairytale Victory Delivers Major Championship Boost
Trainer Dan Skelton's pursuit of a first National Hunt trainers' championship received a massive boost as Panic Attack, a nine-year-old mare revitalised by her move to his yard, stormed to victory in the prestigious Paddy Power Gold Cup Handicap Chase at Cheltenham. The 6-1 shot delivered a commanding performance, defeating favourite Vicenzo by four lengths in the season's first major handicap chase.
Skelton's Landmark Weekend
The victory marked a significant financial and professional milestone for the Skelton stable. Dan Skelton became the first trainer this season to pass £1 million in prize money following Friday's feature event success. Panic Attack's triumph earned £91,000 in first-place prize money, supplemented by an additional £17,000 from Hoe Joly Smoke's third-place finish in the same 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," Skelton commented after celebrating his maiden success in this early-season highlight. "But there's no point knocking on the door, they've got to keep going through it. 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 Race Heats Up
The victory positions Skelton as the 2-5 favourite with Paddy Power to claim his first trainers' championship, after being narrowly beaten by Willie Mullins in the final weeks of the past two seasons. Mullins, aiming for a third consecutive title, stands at 7-4, while Paul Nicholls remains a 16-1 chance as he seeks to equal Martin Pipe's record of 15 championships.
Panic Attack's transformation since joining the Skelton yard has been remarkable, with the nine-year-old mare demonstrating the depth of talent within the stable's expanding team. The Paddy Power Gold Cup success not only provides crucial prize money but also serves as a statement of intent in what promises to be another fiercely contested National Hunt championship season.
