Panic Attack thriving ahead of audacious double

There was no alarm for owner Bryan Drew when Panic Attack stormed to Paddy Power Gold Cup glory at Cheltenham and he is now relishing his in-form mare attempting to complete an audacious double when putting her stamina to the test in the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury.

Jockey Harry Skelton had time to celebrate before the line as the nine-year-old stormed up the famous Prestbury Park hill for a memorable success at the November meeting, and although Drew may have had little to cheer on a flying visit to Perth for the first Ashes test, he is ready for another huge occasion on the pre-Christmas racing calendar.

“She’s been firing on all cylinders at home and I suppose we’re striking while the iron is hot really,” said Drew, who arrived back from Australia on Thursday.

“She’s a nine-year-old in the form of her life and the trip is a bit of unknown and she’s not quite got home over three miles before, but this is the best she’s ever been by a country mile and we thought we’d have a go.”

Drew is no stranger to seeing his colours carried to success in some of the biggest races, with the likes of Bravemansgame giving him a Christmas to remember when winning the King George in 2022 and Moon Racer and Un Temps Pour Tout providing landmark days at the Cheltenham Festival.

However, Newbury’s feature handicap is one that has so far eluded him, with the midlands-based owner well aware of the task at hand for his Cheltenham heroine.

“She’s got a 4lb penalty for winning the Paddy Power and Tristan Durrell will take 3lb off so effectively she is running off 136 and I think she’s quite well-in,” Drew told the Press Association.

“It would be an unbelievable achievement and it’s a much hotter race this time with some very good horses in there.

“It’s a much tougher assignment than Cheltenham, I think, and to be honest if she runs a good race and picks up some prize-money that would be good – to win could be a tall order. But we’ll give it a really good go.”

Panic Attack’s Cheltenham success was a seventh career victory in a journey that saw her burst on the scene when bolting up in a Market Rasen Listed bumper for Willie Mullins before spending time with David Pipe and now firmly part of the furniture at Skelton’s Warwickshire base.

It is since arriving at Lodge Hill that she has begun to fulfil the potential that has at times been stunted by setbacks, with Drew finally reaping the rewards of the faith he placed in a young four-year-old with all the hallmarks to make her mark on the big stage.

Drew added: “I bought her after she won the bumper for Willie Mullins at Market Rasen and looked spectacular, but she never really fulfilled what we thought she might achieve.

“To be fair to her she had quite a few niggles and that’s all in the past now. She’s been enjoying her job ever since she has got to Dan’s and has really been in top form.

“We did think we had a really good chance in the Paddy Power Gold Cup. Dan’s done such a good job with her and she’s absolutely flying at home, enjoying it and most importantly staying in one piece.

“Hopefully we get another season out of her and then she will make a lovely broodmare.”