Owner Bryan Drew is hoping Panic Attack can build on her progress made this season after topping Timeform’s weight-adjusted ratings for the Grand National.
Dan Skelton’s inmate has been synonymous of the yard’s success, who have already amassed £3,252,987.53 in prize money this season.
The innate ability has always been underlying, as she acquired Listed honours in 2022. However, this season Panic Attack has been masterfully trained to rise further through the ranks.
Speaking on Nick Luck’s Daily Podcast, as reported by the Sporting Life, Drew said “She likes the regime at Dan’s.
“If you’d told me this time last year that she’d have gone three wins on the bounce including the Paddy Power Gold Cup and the Coral Gold Cup…I’d have said you’d had a knock on the head or something!”
Panic Attack became only the second horse to complete the memorable double of Paddy Power and Coral Gold Cups. She was the first to achieve it since Celestial Gold in 2004 for Martin Pipe.
Drew coy on Grand National chance despite favourable weight
Fittingly, the former David Pipe mare continued her progress with a 14-length triumph in a Newbury Listed Mares’ Chase.
Following the publication of the Grand National weights, Panic Attack has been well-supported in the market. She is set to carry just 10st 5lb if getting a run.
However, as the prestigious steeplechase becomes increasingly catered towards a higher calibre of thoroughbred, her participation is not guaranteed.
“She’s currently number 46 of 47, ten stone five, and last year that weight was was numbers 32 and 33 so I think it’s going to be quite tight for Aintree. I’m glad we’re concentrating initially on Cheltenham.”
The Mrs Paddy Power Mares’ Chase is the first leg of the spring double connections will attempt to conquer. Dan Skelton will be bidding become the first British trainer to win the newest race at the Cheltenham Festival.
Skelton is excited by the challenge, stating in a recent stable tour that ”She’s a credit to herself, flying around at home, and I can’t wait to get her out again. She’ll get 3lb from the favourite, Dinoblue, so I think she’ll go very close.”
Drew continued to note how “It’s been amazing. She’s in great form, flying around the yard.
“In some ways we wish the mares’ race was next week rather than in a few weeks’ time.
“It’s right to prioritise the Mares’ Chase at the moment because we could hold off for the Grand National and she might not get in and that would be a let-down and given the form she’s in we have to make the most of her this year.
“She’s ten and a joy to own. She’s in the form of her life.”