Dan Skelton capped an extraordinary campaign at Perth when his horse Heltenham clinched the Bedmax Capercaillie Handicap Chase, giving the trainer a win at every jumps venue in Britain for the season. This achievement marked the culmination of a year in which Skelton, after two years of near‑misses at the hands of Willie Mullins, amassed close to £5 million in prize money and finally secured the champion trainer title he has long pursued. The milestone was reached just after Skelton collected his first trainer’s trophy at Sandown on Saturday.
Earlier that day he had watched two of his runners, Tormund Giantsbane and Panic Attack, fall just short, but his brother Harry delivered a flawless ride on the 15‑8 favourite Heltenham. Timing the challenge perfectly, Harry guided the horse to a one‑and‑three‑quarter‑length victory, sealing the historic sweep.
When asked by Racing TV about the significance of the feat, Skelton could barely contain his excitement. "It’s quite incredible, isn’t it? I’ve just loved every minute of it.
It was never on my agenda, but when I realised we were only four tracks short for the season, one of them being Musselburgh, I thought we might give it a go." He explained that Musselburgh had not been a regular destination for his stable. Owner Jimmy Fyffe wanted to run Made U Blush there, and Skelton agreed to send a single runner.
"He said, ‘Send her up,’ and she won. That sparked the idea that we could chase the remaining venues," Skelton said. He recalled the effort it took to secure a win at Plumpton, which required 21 attempts, and noted that Perth proved a little easier, yet still demanded a great deal of perseverance from the team and the owners who backed them.
"I sometimes set myself seemingly ridiculous targets, but they keep me motivated," he added. The card at Perth featured several other memorable performances.
No Drama This End, a hurdler who had previously disappointed at Cheltenham, redeemed himself by winning the Listed British EBF Gold Castle National Hunt Novices' Hurdle. Meanwhile, Paul Nicholls’ six‑year‑old, who had been the favourite for the Turners Novices' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival before being pulled up by Harry Cobden, turned the tables north of the border. The horse delivered a 100th victory of the season for jockey JP McManus, prompting Nicholls to praise the animal’s class and future prospects as a chaser over three miles. Lucinda Russell and Michael Scudamore celebrated a win with Apple Away, who secured a place in the French Champion Hurdle after a late rally in the Fair Maid of Perth Mares' Chase.
The race saw a dramatic finish: after Panic Attack, a Skelton runner, exited the Grand National at the third fence, the field was left wide open. Derek Fox, aboard the 4‑1 chance Apple Away, produced a powerful finishing run, pulling clear of Ruby Island by a length and a quarter to claim the victory.
Russell was visibly moved, describing the moment as "amazing" and admitting she was in tears as Apple Away crossed the line. She lauded the mare’s determination, saying, "She is the most phenomenal mare.
I thought she was beaten, but her heart carried her through. I’ve never had a filly with such attitude and guts." Looking ahead, Russell confirmed the horse’s entry in the French Champion Hurdle, set for three weeks later, and expressed optimism about her chances.
Olly Murphy enjoyed a personal treble on the day. He first rode Gee Force Flyer to victory in the Welcome To The Perth Festival Maiden Hurdle, then guided Barlovento to win the Balnakeilly Novices' Limited Handicap Chase, and finally saw Atlantic City triumph in the Scone Palace Mares' Handicap Hurdle.
Murphy’s string of successes highlighted the depth of talent present on the Perth card. Overall, Skelton’s achievement of winning at all 41 National Hunt circuits is a testament to the dedication of his training staff, the patience of owners, and the quality of the horses under his care. It underscores a season defined by ambition, strategic planning, and the willingness to chase seemingly impossible goals. As the British jump racing calendar continues, fans will be watching to see whether Skelton can maintain this momentum and add further laurels to an already historic year.