Panic Attack (6/1) became the third mare to prevail in the Paddy Power Gold Cup Handicap Chase this century when she came home in front in Saturday's feature race for the all-conquering Dan and Harry Skelton team.

Not seen out since January, the nine-year-old daughter of Canford Cliffs went to the front at the last and powered home to see off 100/30 favourite Vincenzo by four lengths. The winner’s stable companion Hoe Joly Smoke (9/1) was another two and a quarter lengths back in third.

Trainer Dan Skelton, winning his first Paddy Power Gold Cup, said: “It’s fairly obvious to all and sundry that we’ve got the best team we’ve ever had.

“We’ve been second in this race a couple of times – I remember Spiritofthegames (second in 2020), I have never left a racecourse more disappointed because his owner Norman Lake was one of our first supporters and he sadly died a couple of years ago. It would have been great to win a race like this for him.

“The mare is very, very tough. She is a great advertisement for our whole team – vets, physios and the staff that look after her on a day-to-day basis. She has been a fragile horse and had to miss the end of last year.

“She has done everything we’ve asked of her in training and not missed a beat so fair play to her – she is a credit to herself. At nine years old I wouldn’t say she’s getting better but she’s certainly not deteriorating and that was a fair effort today.

“When she couldn’t make the Plate at The Festival, I thought the Paddy Power is the race for her. It was then umming and arring whether we go a prep run into her. That was my only doubt coming into today that she hadn’t had one, but she didn’t need it in the end which was great.”

The trainer went on to reveal the Listed Yorkshire Silver Vase Mares' Chase as a future target, with the long-term aim being the Grade 2 Mrs Paddy Power Mares’ Chase at the Festival.

On third-placed Hoe Joly Smoke, the trainer added: “I said to his owners I have to run this horse on the form he’d be showing us at home. He’d had a prep run and the obvious thing to do was drop back in drip.

“I also knew Panic Attack was definitely not going to be miles behind any of them, so it was nice to have two leading chances.”

Winning jockey Harry Skelton said: “That was a brilliant and a great training performance. I was just a little bit worried beforehand that she hadn’t had a run, but Dan has done a great job and she was prepared ready for today.

“She is a tough mare and experienced. Racing is in a great place – listen to this. These fans coming out to watch good racing. I am just very humble to be part of it and doing what I want.

“Bridget’s (wife) due date is today, so I don’t know if she’s started having the baby yet, but we better go and see! I am sure she’ll be watching at home with Rory – they make me prouder than anything.”