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Dan Skelton has smashed through racing’s glass ceiling and put one hand firmly on the trainers’ title in the process.
The Lodge Hill handler created history recently by becoming the first National Hunt trainer to top £4 million in prize-money in a single season.
It is a number that tells its own story. But in the context of last season’s heartbreak, when Willie Mullins stormed past him late to snatch the championship, it feels even bigger.
This time, there may be no stopping him.
Twelve months ago, Skelton went into Aintree more than £1.3million clear, only to be reeled in during a dramatic Grand National meeting raid. Now, the roles are reversed. His lead over the reigning British and Irish champion stands at more than £2million, with Nicky Henderson the only man even remotely in the same postcode.
The landmark moment came thanks to Diamond Dealer, who delivered win number 168 of the season in Britain at Kelso, hot on the heels of Joyeux Machin’s success at Bangor. More than 900 runners have contributed to the total, a campaign ultimately built on sheer volume, consistency, and unrelenting ambition.
But while Skelton’s numbers already scream dominance, the race that could yet define the entire championship picture still looms large on the horizon – the Grand National.
And in Panic Attack, he may hold the ultimate trump card.
The 10-year-old mare has been nothing short of sensational this season, carving out a relentless winning streak that has propelled her into the Aintree spotlight. Her victories in the Paddy Power Gold Cup and the Coral Gold Cup saw her become the first horse in 21 years to complete that prestigious double – a feat that immediately marked her down as something out of the ordinary.
Since joining Skelton’s yard, she has been virtually unbeatable over fences, with Harry Skelton delivering each performance with a quiet authority that suggests the partnership is tailor-made for the unique demands of Aintree. Even the numbers back it up, with Timeform’s weight-adjusted ratings placing her at the head of the National field.
Yet history offers little comfort.
It has been 75 years since a mare last landed the Grand National, when Nickel Coin triumphed in 1951, and none have even made the frame in the past three decades. But if there is one operation willing to ignore convention, it is the Skelton team.
Victory at Aintree would not just rewrite the record books; it would all but slam the door on the trainers’ title race.
Tony Carroll, one of the most experienced figures in the training ranks with over 1,400 career winners and a Champion All-Weather title to his name, summed up the scale of Skelton’s achievement when speaking on the latest edition of Luck on Sunday via Racing TV, who offer the latest Grand National free bets.
He said: “It’s unbelievable. I take my hat off to him. It’s an incredible achievement and he must’ve worked his socks off for it. Last year, I passed the £1 million mark and I had to work my legs off for that! There was nothing left of me at the end of it. He’s done £4 million – unbelievable to be honest with you. Well done to him and the team behind him; they must be fabulous.
“He’s done very well to recover mentally as well because last year must’ve almost wiped him out. It’s a tough one when you get so close and you come back from it – he’s done exceptionally well.
“You have to be very active, more reckless. You have to be in at the start, keep going and you can’t stop.”
David Prior
David Prior is the editor of Today News, responsible for the overall editorial strategy. He is an NCTJ-qualified journalist with over 20 years’ experience, and is also editor of the award-winning hyperlocal news title Altrincham Today. His LinkedIn profile is here.
