SKELTON'S ON THE ATTACK

PANIC ATTACK spared her backers the jitters in Cheltenham's Paddy Power Gold Cup as Dan Skelton upped his already frantic pace at the top of the trainers’ table.

- BY DAVID YATES

Skelton (right), for the past two seasons denied the first championship he craves by a Willie Mullins spring onslaught, knows he must build a substantial lead at the head of the standings before the Closutton battalions arrive for Cheltenham and Aintree next year.

And, having banked his first £1m in prize money on Friday, Warwickshire-based Skelton boosted his title push as 6-1 chance Panic Attack, ridden by his brother Harry, netted £91,120 for her four-length beating of 100-30 favourite Vincenzo, with stablemate Hoe Joly Smoke chipping in with £17,120 for finishing third.