No need to Panic for ice-cool Skelton

A gutsy but fragile mare lands the feature race for the Skeltons and Sean Bowen is applauded for an against-the-odds success

- JENNIFER DONALD

BILLED as “racing's ultimate weekender”, Cheltenham’s November meeting delivered in abundance. Having survived a brace of inspections as relentless rain pelted Prestbury Park, the three-day event was headlined by two smashing performances from the Skelton stable.

We saw the return of jockey Harry Skelton’s trademark aeroplane celebration on Saturday, as he crossed the line on “tough” nine-year-old mare Panic Attack to land the 2m 4f Paddy Power Gold Cup. Her stablemate, Hoe Joly Smoke, finished third under Kielan Woods, sandwiching race favourite Vincenzo (Dylan Johnston) into the runner-up spot.