November Update winner Panic Attack (6/1)

Panic Attack defied an absence of 280 days to win the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham on Saturday providing Dan Skelton with his first victory in the two and a half miles event. Previously handled by Willie Mullins and David Pipe, the nine year old was only having her second start over fences for her current yard and was racing off a ten pounds higher mark than when winning at Windsor in January. Patiently ridden, she travelled well throughout and her jumping was slick. Moving into contention on the outside, the Canford Cliffs mare jumped the last better than Vincenzo before staying on strongly on the run-in to register a four lengths victory. It was another tremendous training performance by the Skelton producing the mare spot on for the day which mattered. 

While Panic Attack (6/1) provided the highlight of the day for followers of the November Update, I must confess to have been bitterly disappointed by the performance of Jurancon in the intermediate handicap hurdle later on the card. David Pipe was uncharacteristically bullish when I spoke to him earlier in the week but the six year old dropped away tamely after the second last. On pedigree, the step up in trip was expected to bring out further improvement but he ran as though he didn't stay. Additionally, it was his first run since wind surgery and it is possible his breathing caught him out. Given the confidence behind him beforehand, it is hard to believe he could run so poorly. Racing is a great leveller just when you think you are on a roll. 

As regards the other selections, Jubilee Express was taken off his feet in the staying handicap chase for amateur riders. Having lost his position on the final circuit, Sam Thomas' charge couldn't keep tabs with the principals until staying on until it was too late. I suspect this run will have blown away the cobwebs before another tilt at the Welsh National. Finally, Divina Diva rewarded each-way support in the mares' bumper which rounded off the action at Prestbury Park. With all the jockeys keen to race along the favoured far rail, track position was crucial. Harry Skelton's mount moved strongly through the race but found herself too far back - plus too many rivals in front of her - when the tempo lifted. Short of room on the stands side, the front running favourite Celestial Tune had got first run and gone beyond recall. It was still an encouraging first run under Rules in third.

Elsewhere, Meetmebythesea (5/4) was another winner for the Update when scoring narrowly on his fencing bow at Wetherby. Racing off a mark of 133 and contesting a two miles novices' handicap chase, Ben Pauling's charge jumped well and then showed good battling qualities to fend off the challenges of Push The Button and Pleasington after the last. A half lengths scorer, I explained the long-term plan in the Update and he will be placed accordingly between now and then. He is a useful prospect.

The stable of Joel Parkinson and Sue Smith have hit a rich rein of form in recent days - the Bingley outfit have sent out 5 winners from their last 9 runners over the last couple of days, including a treble at Wetherby on Saturday. It is great to see because it has been a tough time for the stable in the last twelve months. Long may it continue.

Fingers crossed we can have a decent day at Cheltenham on Sunday. There is some excellent racing on Sunday and Monday (Navan's card which was abandoned on Saturday and has been transferred, plus there is a terrific beginners chase at Exeter).