'I thought I best give them something' - Skelton's aeroplane celebration takes off again as Panic Attack wins Paddy Power Gold Cup

Harry Skelton’s iconic skelecopter celebration made its comeback as he and brother Dan continued their domination of the biggest autumn jumps races with victory for Panic Attack in the Paddy Power Gold Cup.

The rider boldly flung his arms wide, forming an aeroplane-like shape, as Bryan Drew’s nine-year-old pulled off a plan formed ten months ago to continue the stable's mesmerising spell.

Panic Attack encapsulates the strength in depth of team Skelton, according to the trainer, having required the attention of his vets, physios and stable staff due to her fragility. 

She advertised their talents in the November meeting’s £160,000 highlight with a gutsy display, adding to the yard's wins in the Shloer Chase and Haldon Gold Cup in the preceding eight days.

Cheltenham’s richest handicap had a distinctly open feel even before Friday night’s withdrawal of ante-post favourite Jagwar as Storm Claudia left its mark on the Cotswolds. That assessment came to fruition as barely half a length separated five fancied runners on the turn for home.

Last season's winner Il Ridoto, 100-30 favourite Vincenzo, the enigmatic Bad and Conyers Hill, bidding to end Ireland’s miserable recent record in this race, took aim at victory in Saturday’s highlight, but in a battle of courage it was the mare who triumphed.

She burst into the lead with a tidy jump at the last to head Vincenzo and used that momentum to gallop to the line for a four-length win. Testing conditions added to the challenge of Cheltenham’s notoriously stamina-sapping climb to the finishing line, with Hoe Joly Smoke picking up the pieces to complete a first and third for the stable.

The winning jockey, whose wife Bridget is imminently due to give birth, said: "Everyone has been moaning to me and asking where the celebration has been, so I thought I'd best give them something.

“Dan’s done a great job. Panic Attack was prepared and ready for today. She’s a tough mare and experienced. I’m just very humbled to be a part of it all.

"Bridget’s due date is today. I’m sure she’ll be watching at home. I love what we’re doing, our horses are flying and that’s a credit to our team.”

The winning trainer did not want to be drawn into title talk, even if this success enabled him to pocket more than £100,000, and he is 2-5 with the race sponsor to finally prevail against Willie Mullins in the race to the championship crown. 

“To some degree these wins are satisfying, but I’m a paid professional," the trainer said. "And, as Roy Keane says, ‘I’m just doing my job’. When she missed the Plate in March we made this race her target.

“We’ve been second in this a couple of times and I remember with Spiritofthegames I’ve never been more disappointed after a race. His owner, Norman Lake, was one of our first supporters and he died a couple of years ago.

“I love running horses. I don’t shy away from it. I'll run them if they’re right and sometimes I get it wrong. Panic Attack won’t come back here for the December meeting and we will most likely go to Doncaster for a mares’ race over the Christmas period. I’d like to bring her back here for the Mares’ Chase.”

Sam Thomas endured a rare defeat, having had four winners from seven runners before this, and will target the December Gold Cup with runner-up Vincenzo.

Trainers' championship
Paddy Power: 2-5 Dan Skelton 7-4 Willie Mullins, 16 Paul Nicholls, 25 Nicky Henderson

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