Dan Skelton planted a kiss on Panic Attack’s neck as she returned to a roar from the Cheltenham stands on Saturday, 15th November, the mare basking in admiration after her Panic Attack Gold Cup victory on Super Saturday. Moments later, Harry Skelton swung out of the saddle grinning, still lifted by the warmth of a crowd that clearly understood the significance of what they had just witnessed.
The opening major contest of the Jump season at Cheltenham Racecourse — run in memory of the late Irish trainer Edward O’Grady — produced a performance full of grit and heart. And Panic Attack, not seen since January, delivered her finest yet as she stormed home to land the two-and-a-half-mile feature for the Skelton yard.
She moved smoothly into contention before the last, took command with a bold leap, and lengthened away from Vincenzo by four lengths. Stablemate Hoe Joly Smoke kept on gamely for third, completing a golden result for a team that has made an emphatic start to the season.
For Dan Skelton, this Panic Attack Gold Cup victory carried a layer of emotion deeper than the trophy itself. “It’s fairly obvious we’ve got the best team we’ve ever had,” he said, voice softening at the memory of near-misses in the race. “We’ve been second a couple of times — Spiritofthegames in 2020 still stings. Norman Lake, one of our earliest supporters, would have loved this.”
Skelton spoke warmly of the winner’s resilience. “She’s very tough. A huge credit to everyone — vets, physios, the people with her every day. She’s had her setbacks, but she’s done everything right in training this time. At nine, maybe she’s not improving, but she’s certainly not going backwards.”
The trainer revealed that the Yorkshire Silver Vase Mares’ Chase is now on her radar, with the Grade Two Mares’ Chase at The Festival the longer-term prize.
On Hoe Joly Smoke’s third-place run, Skelton added: “He’d been showing us plenty at home and had his prep. It felt the right thing to run him. I knew Panic Attack wouldn’t be far away either, so having two major contenders was a great position.”
Harry Skelton, basking in applause, paid tribute to the stable’s preparation. “She was ready — Dan had her spot-on. She’s a tough, experienced mare, and these crowds… racing is in a great place. I’m just grateful to be doing what I love.”
With a smile, he added a personal note: “Bridget’s due date is today — hopefully no baby yet — but she’ll be watching with Rory. They make me prouder than anything.”
Panic Attack’s display, and the emotion surrounding it, marked the first big crescendo of the new Jump season — and perhaps the start of an even bigger storyline as the months unfold.
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