Dan Skelton capped an extraordinary campaign at Perth when his horse Heltenham secured a win, giving the trainer a victory at every jumps venue in Britain for the current season. After two years of near‑misses at the hands of Willie Mullins, Skelton has now amassed close to £5 million in prize money as he chases his first trainer's championship. The achievement was highlighted by a historic sweep of all 41 National Hunt circuits during a trip to the Scottish Highlands. The day began with a mixed bag of results.
Tormund Giantsbane and Panic Attack both fell just short of the line, but later in the afternoon Skelton’s stablemate, the 15‑8 favourite Heltenham, delivered a perfectly timed run. Riding a patient race, the horse surged forward in the final stages to claim the Bedmax Capercaillie Handicap Chase by one and three‑quarter lengths, completing the trainer's clean‑sheet across the country. When asked by Racing TV about the feat, Skelton said, "It’s quite incredible, isn’t it? I’ve just loved it.
It wasn’t even on my radar at the start of the season, but I realised we were only four tracks short and one of those was Musselburgh. I hadn’t planned to send a runner there because we rarely go, but owner Jimmy Fyffe wanted Made U Blush to contest the race. I told him she would be our sole entrant, he said ‘send her up’, and she won.
That got me thinking – if we’re this close, why not give the remaining venues a go?" He went on to explain the difficulty of the final pushes: "It took 21 runners to secure a win at Plumpton, and while Perth required fewer, the pressure was still immense. I’m in awe of my team and the owners who have backed us every step of the way. I love this job; I sometimes set myself absurd targets, but they keep me motivated." The card also featured a memorable finish for No Drama This End, who ended his hurdling career on a high note by winning the Listed British EBF Gold Castle National Hunt Novices' Hurdle. The six‑year‑old, trained by Paul Nicholls, had been the favourite for the Turners Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham, only to be pulled up by Harry Cobden.
In Scotland, however, he delivered a 100th win of the season for his soon‑to‑be JP McManus‑number‑one partnership. Nicholls praised the horse after the race: "I’m very happy.
It’s nice to finish on a good note. I know I can bring him back stronger in the autumn. It hasn’t been easy to get him right, but he’s a genuine class horse. He won four of his five hurdle starts and will now move to chasing in November.
He’ll stay over three miles and I expect him to become an exciting chaser in the future." Another highlight was the triumph of Lucinda Russell and Michael Scudamore’s mare Apple Away. The filly rallied late to win the Fair Maid of Perth Mares' Chase, securing a place in the French Champion Hurdle. The decisive moment came when Skelton’s Panic Attack, fresh from a Grand National exit at the third fence, set a strong tempo that forced every competitor to stay on their toes. Apple Away seemed out of contention until Derek Fox produced a brilliant finishing run on the 4‑1 chance, pulling clear of Ruby Island by a length and a quarter.
Russell was emotional after the win: "It’s amazing – I was in tears as she crossed the line. She’s a phenomenal mare.
I thought she was beaten, but her heart carried her through. I’ve never had a filly with such attitude and guts.
Allez Français – we’ve entered her in the French Champion Hurdle three weeks from now; let’s see what she can do." Olly Murphy enjoyed a personal treble on the day. He guided Gee Force Flyer to victory in the Welcome to the Perth Festival Maiden Hurdle, then saw Barlovento take the Balnakeilly Novices' Limited Handicap Chase, and finally watched Atlantic City win the Scone Palace Mares' Handicap Hurdle. Each win added to the overall sense of a spectacular meeting, with Skelton’s historic sweep providing the headline story.
The broader significance of Skelton’s accomplishment cannot be overstated. Winning at every National Hunt venue in a single season is a rare feat that showcases not only the trainer’s strategic acumen but also the depth of his stable, the quality of his staff, and the commitment of owners who place trust in his methods.
It also underscores the competitive nature of British jump racing, where a handful of leading trainers dominate the top tier, yet Skelton has managed to carve out his own unique legacy. Looking ahead, Skelton will likely continue to target high‑profile races as he chases the championship title. His willingness to enter horses at less‑frequent venues, such as Musselburgh, demonstrates a flexible approach that could prove decisive in the points race. Meanwhile, the horses that featured in Perth – Heltenham, Apple Away, Panic Attack and others – will have their own campaigns to follow, with potential trips to Ireland, France and possibly a return to the Cheltenham Festival.
In summary, Dan Skelton’s Perth victory not only added another trophy to his cabinet but also cemented his place in National Hunt history by completing a clean sweep of all 41 British jumps tracks. The day’s action, from the emotional triumph of Apple Away to the seasoned expertise of Olly Murphy, provided a fitting backdrop for a trainer whose ambition, perseverance and love for the sport have finally borne the ultimate fruit.