Dan Skelton’s remarkable season reached another peak at Perth, as Heltenham’s victory gave him a winner at every jumps track in Britain this term.
After being agonisingly thwarted by Willie Mullins in the last two years, Skelton has won nearly £5million in prize money in his quest to be crowned champion trainer for the first time.
Before receiving the trophy the first time at Sandown on Saturday, he achieved the phenomenal feat of sending out a winner at all 41 National Hunt circuits on his visit to the Highlands.
Earlier in the afternoon he had seen Tormund Giantsbane and Panic Attack narrowly beaten, before brother Harry gave 15-8 favourite Heltenham the perfect ride, timing his challenge to perfection to get up and win the Bedmax Capercaillie Handicap Chase by one and three-quarter lengths.
On the achievement, Skelton told Racing TV: “It’s quite incredible isn’t it? I’ve just loved it. It’s something I didn’t ever have on the agenda, but I noticed there was only four tracks missing for the season and one of them was Musselburgh.
Skelton has picked up nearly £5m in prize money this season
“I wasn’t going to bother because we don’t send any runners to Musselburgh really and (owner) Jimmy Fyffe said he wanted Made U Blush to run at Musselburgh and I told him it’d be the only runner. ‘Send her up’ he said and she won and then I thought maybe if we’re this close maybe we should give it a go.
“It took 21 runners to get a winner at Plumpton. Luckily it’s taken a few less at Perth but I’m in awe of my team and all of the owners that have supported us to do it and willed us on to do it. I love doing this job. I sometimes set myself silly or ridiculous targets but it’s a motivator for me.”
Elsewhere on the card, No Drama This End brought his hurdling career to a perfect end, as he gained redemption for Cheltenham disappointment with victory in the Listed British EBF Gold Castle ‘National Hunt’ Novices’ Hurdle.
Skelton was caught late by Willie Mullins in the title race last season
Paul Nicholls’ six-year-old was sent off favourite for the Turners Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival when pulled up by Harry Cobden, but it was a different story north of the border as he gave the soon-to-be JP McManus number one a 100th victory of the season.
Nicholls told Racing TV: “I’m very happy. It was just nice to finish on a good note.
“I know I can get him way better than he is today in the autumn. It’s not been easy to get him really right. He’s obviously a class horse and he won’t run over hurdles again; that’s it, he’ll go chasing in November.
“He’s a really strong stayer and he will run over three miles over fences, but I don’t know where we’ll start. He’s only run five times over hurdles and he’s won four and he’s always going to be an exciting chaser, that’s his future.”
There was also victory for Lucinda Russell and Michael Scudamore’s Apple Away, who booked her ticket to the French Champion Hurdle when rallying late to get up in the Fair Maid Of Perth Mares’ Chase.
Team Skelton pose with the Paddy Power Gold Cup
It was Skelton’s Panic Attack, making a quick return after exiting the Grand National at the third fence, that had made every yard as they went over the final fence, with Apple Away looking to be out of contention.
However, Derek Fox conjured up a fine finishing effort from the 4-1 chance to come home a length and a quarter clear of Ruby Island and secure a second victory in the race.
Russell said: “It’s amazing, I’ve just been in tears as she’s walked out. She is the most phenomenal mare. I thought she was beaten and then her heart just takes her through. She’s great, I’ve never had a horse, a filly like her attitude and guts.
“Allez Francais. We’ve got her entered in the French Champion Hurdle, it’s just over three weeks away. Let’s see if she can go there.”
Olly Murphy enjoyed a treble on the card as Gee Force Flyer took the Welcome To The Perth Festival Maiden Hurdle followed by Barlovento landing the Balnakeilly Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase with Atlantic city delivering in the Scone Palace Mares’ Handicap Hurdle.
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