Skelton ‘tempted’ by Newbury run for Panic Attack

Dan Skelton has not ruled out a tilt at the Coral Gold Cup with his Paddy Power Gold Cup victor Panic Attack.

The Bryan Drew-owned nine-year-old extended the Skelton team’s rich vein of form when picking up the November meeting’s flagship contest at Cheltenham on Saturday, giving the trainer and his jockey brother Harry their first victory in the race.

Skelton had suggested her next outing would be at Doncaster in the Yorkshire Silver Vase Mares’ Chase over the Christmas period, as he plots a route back to Prestbury Park for the Mares’ Chase at the Festival.

However, the Lodge Hill handler has now conceded his head is being turned by Newbury’s prestigious handicap on November 29.

“Panic Attack is still in the Coral Gold Cup and I’m more than tempted,” said Skelton.

“I said Doncaster (for the Yorkshire Silver Vase Mares’ Chase) after the Paddy Power Gold Cup and I still do think Doncaster, but if she comes bucking and squealing and says to us ‘let’s have a go’, then she’s a nine-year-old and isn’t going to be around for three more years.

“She’ll have a 4lb penalty and Harry won’t be able to ride her as he will be at Newcastle, so Tristan Durrell (claiming 5lb) will ride her, so effectively she will only be carrying 1lb more than Cheltenham. I’m not un-tempted by it.”