With Storm Claudia wreaking havoc, Cheltenham Racecourse survived a morning inspection, allowing the Paddy Power Gold Cup to go ahead. However, the demanding conditions saw the field reduced to 12.
Well supported throughout the week, the Sam Thomas-trained Vincenzo assumed favouritism on the day. Never outside the first three in six outings on soft ground, he had conditions in his favour. His fine second in the 2025 Greatwood Gold Cup Handicap Chase was also among the strongest form on offer. With Dylan Johnson taking off a handy three pounds, the seven-year-old looked primed to go well.
Dan Skelton’s mare Panic Attack ran away with a 2m4f soft ground event on her most recent chase outing and came next in the betting. A 10-pound higher mark demanded a career best, but she was the choice of Harry Skelton. The stamina-laden Hoe Joly Smoke added a strong second string to the Skelton bow.
Henry De Bromhead saddled Listed handicap winner Coming Up Easy and Theatre Native, who claimed a Cheltenham mare’s event by 10 lengths in April. Paul Nolan’s Conyers Hill and Gavin Cromwell’s The Other Mozzie completed the challenge from the Emerald Isle.
Others to note included the Venetia Williams-trained Hunter Legend, who seemed sure to enjoy the ground, and 2024 champ Il Ridoto, who returned to defend his crown off a one-pound higher mark.
Result
- 1st – Panic Attack 6/1, Jockey: Harry Skelton, Trainer: Dan Skelton
- 2nd – Vincenzo 100/30F, Jockey: Dylan Johnston, Trainer: Sam Thomas
- 3rd – Hoe Joly Smoke 9/1, Jockey: Kielan Woods, Trainer: Dan Skelton
Prize Money Breakdown
- 1st – £91,120
- 2nd – £34,192
- 3rd – £17,120
- 4th – £8,528
- 5th – £4,288
- 6th – £2,144
Tote and Forecast Payouts
- Tote Win – £7
- Tote Places – 1st – £1.80, 2nd – £2.10, 3rd – £3.00
- Exacta – £30.50
- Computer Straight Forecast (CSF) – £27.96
- Trifecta – £322.50
- Tricast – £185.37
Recap
Il Ridoto started quickly under Harry Cobden and grabbed the lead over the first fence. Bad and Coming Up Easy joined him to the outside, with Vincenzo, Theatre Native, and Hunter Legend also racing prominently. Panic Attack sat further back alongside Es Perfecto. Conyers Hill and Hoe Joly Smoke were waiting at the back of the pack.
Turning towards the home straight for the first time, Il Ridoto held a clear advantage, with Cobden setting a sensible pace in the stamina-sapping conditions. The De Bromhead duo of Coming Up Easy and Theatre Native came next, with Vincenzo, Es Perfecto, and Bad making up the next wave of three. All 12 runners were travelling well enough at this stage.
Moving back away from the stands, Il Ridoto continued to hug the rail, with Theatre Native moving forward to lead around the outside. Little change in the order among those in behind. The well-fancied Vincenzo and Panic Attack moved well for their riders. Further back, Hoe Joly Smoke and Hunter Legend were briefly tapped for toe but remained in touch.
Theatre Native and Il Ridoto led over the third last. Coming Up Easy lost all chance when making a juddering error, but Bad, Vincenzo, and Panic Attack emerged as big threats. Hoe Joly Smoke and Conyers Hill had work to do, but were staying on well.
Long-time leaders Theatre Native and Il Ridoto dropped back through the field approaching the last. Bad briefly hit the front, but Vincenzo and Panic Attack swept past on either side. That duo jumped the last in unison, but Panic Attack was finding more for Harry Skelton. Two lengths clear inside the final furlong; the mare extended her advantage to four at the line. Vincenzo plugged on for second with Skelton’s second-string Hoe Joly Smoke finishing well to take third.
A first Paddy Power Gold Cup for Dan and Harry Skelton, with the rider bringing out his trademark aeroplane celebration for the occasion.
Runners
- 1. Jagwar – Non-runner
- 2. The Other Mozzie – SP: 22/1, Trainer: Gavin Cromwell, Eoin Staples
- 3. Bad – SP: 18/1, Trainer: Ben Pauling, Jockey: Ben Jones
- 4. Thecompanysergeant – SP: 14/1, Trainer: Gavin Cromwell, Jockey: Keith Donoghue
- 5. Riskintheground – Non-runner
- 6. Il Ridoto – SP: 8/1, Trainer: Paul Nicholls, Jockey: Harry Cobden
- 7. Coming Up Easy – SP: 13/2, Trainer: Henry De Bromhead, Jockey: Darragh O’Keeffe
- 8. Vincenzo – SP: 100/30F, Trainer: Sam Thomas, Jockey: Dylan Johnston
- 9. Theatre Native – SP: 12/1, Trainer: Henry De Bromhead, Jockey: Sean Bowen
- 10. Panic Attack – SP: 6/1, Trainer: Dan Skelton, Jockey: Harry Skelton
- 11. Conyers Hill – SP: 14/1, Trainer: Paul Nolan, Jockey: Sean O’Keeffe
- 12. Es Perfecto – SP: 16/1, Trainer: Alan King, Jockey: Tom Bellamy
- 13. Hoe Joly Smoke – SP: 9/1, Trainer: Dan Skelton, Jockey: Kielan Woods
- 14. Hunter Legend – SP: 13/2, Trainer: Venetia Williams, Jockey: Charlie Deutsch
- 15. Issar d’Airy – Non-runner
Non-Runners
Issar d’Airy (unsuitable ground), Jagwar (unsuitable ground), Riskintheground (unsuitable ground).