Dan Skelton capped an extraordinary campaign with a landmark triumph at Perth, where his horse Heltenham clinched the Bedmax Capercaillie Handicap Chase and completed a rare feat: a winner at every National Hunt venue in Britain during the current season. This achievement adds another glittering chapter to a year that has seen Skelton inch ever closer to his long‑awaited title as champion trainer. For the past two seasons, the shadow of Willie Mullins has loomed large over Skelton’s ambitions, with the legendary Irish trainer thwarting his bid on several occasions. Undeterred, Skelton has amassed close to £5 million in prize money, a testament to the consistency and quality of his operation.
The Perth victory not only secured a win for the 15‑8 favourite Heltenham but also marked the final piece of a puzzle that began earlier in the year when he sent out winners at 40 of the 41 circuits. The day unfolded with drama from the outset.
Earlier in the afternoon, two of Skelton’s runners—Tormund Giantsbane and Panic Attack—were edged out in close finishes, underscoring the fine margins that define jump racing. Yet the trainer’s perseverance paid off when his brother Harry, who saddles many of the stable’s top horses, guided Heltenham to a perfectly timed run. The horse surged clear in the final stages, crossing the line one and three‑quarter lengths ahead of his rivals and delivering Skelton the coveted Perth win. When asked to comment by Racing TV, Skelton could barely contain his excitement.
"It’s quite incredible, isn’t it? I’ve just loved it. It’s something I never imagined on my agenda, but I realized there were only four tracks left for the season, and one of them was Musselburgh," he explained.
He recounted how a last‑minute decision to run a single runner, Made U Blush, at Musselburgh—prompted by owner Jimmy Fyffe’s insistence—resulted in an unexpected victory. That win, he said, sparked the idea that perhaps the remaining gaps could be filled after all. Skelton reflected on the effort required to achieve the milestone.
"It took 21 runners to get a winner at Plumpton. Fortunately, it took a few fewer at Perth, but I’m in awe of my team and all the owners who have backed us.
I love doing this job. I sometimes set myself silly or ridiculous targets, but they keep me motivated," he added, emphasizing the collective nature of the success. The Perth meeting offered more stories of redemption and triumph.
No Drama This End, a seasoned hurdler, capped his career on a high note by winning the Listed British EBF Gold Castle National Hunt Novices' Hurdle, erasing the disappointment he suffered at Cheltenham earlier in the season. 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, found a new lease of life north of the border. The colt secured JP McManus’s 100th victory of the season, prompting Nicholls to express optimism about the horse’s future: "I know I can get him way better than he is today in the autumn. He’s a really strong stayer and will go chasing in November.
He’s only run five times over hurdles and has won four; his future is as a top‑class chaser." Lucinda Russell and Michael Scudamore also celebrated a notable win with Apple Away, who rallied late to claim the Fair Maid of Perth Mares' Chase, thereby earning a place in the upcoming French Champion Hurdle. The race had been tense; Panic Attack—returning swiftly after a Grand National exit at the third fence—had kept the field tightly bunched, and Apple Away seemed to be losing ground.
Yet Derek Fox produced a decisive finishing effort from the 4‑1 shot, pulling clear by a length and a quarter over Ruby Island. Russell was visibly moved by the performance.
"It’s amazing, I’m in tears as she walks out. She is the most phenomenal mare.
I thought she was beaten, but her heart carried her through. She’s got an attitude and guts I’ve never seen in a filly," she said, adding that the mare is now aimed at the French Champion Hurdle three weeks away.
Olly Murphy enjoyed a personal treble on the card. He 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 succeed in the Scone Palace Mares' Handicap Hurdle. Murphy’s string of successes highlighted the depth of talent among the jockeys and horses present at Perth. Overall, the Perth meeting was a microcosm of the broader National Hunt season: a blend of historic milestones, personal triumphs, and the relentless pursuit of excellence.
Skelton’s completion of a winner‑at‑every‑track sweep not only cements his place among the sport’s elite trainers but also serves as a reminder that perseverance, strategic risk‑taking, and a supportive network of owners and staff can turn ambitious targets into reality. As the season draws to a close, fans and participants alike will be watching closely to see whether Skelton can translate this historic achievement into a championship title, and how the other highlighted horses—No Drama This End, Apple Away, and the promising chasers—will fare in the upcoming festivals and international contests.