Can Dan Skelton Continue Coral Gold Cup Success at Newbury in 2026?

Dan Skelton enjoyed a remarkable 2025/26 National Hunt season, and the reigning champion trainer will be looking to add another major prize to his collection when the Coral Gold Cup returns to Newbury Racecourse on Saturday 28th November 2026.

The Warwickshire-based trainer claimed one of the biggest victories of his career when Panic Attack won last year’s £250,000 handicap chase, completing a historic double after her earlier success in the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham.

With just over a month remaining until the 2026 renewal, Skelton has already identified several potential contenders, including defending champion Panic Attack, Aintree winner Mr Hope Street and recent Cheltenham winner Here Comes Georgie.

Following another record-breaking start to the jumps season, could Skelton be celebrating consecutive Coral Gold Cup victories at Newbury?

Panic Attack’s Historic Coral Gold Cup Victory in 2025

Panic Attack produced one of the standout performances of the 2025/26 jumps season when winning the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury on Saturday 29th November 2025.

Just two weeks earlier, the nine-year-old mare had secured victory in the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham under Harry Skelton. Her connections subsequently decided to step her up in distance for Newbury’s prestigious three-mile-two-furlong handicap chase.

Sent off at odds of 16/1, Panic Attack faced 23 rivals, including Three Card Brag, The Changing Man and Gorgeous Tom.

With Tristan Durrell taking the ride, the Skelton-trained mare travelled strongly throughout the contest before moving into the lead approaching the final stages. She produced an excellent jump at the last fence and powered clear to defeat Three Card Brag by six and a half lengths, with The Changing Man finishing third.

The result made Panic Attack the first horse since Celestial Gold in 2004 to complete the Paddy Power Gold Cup and Coral Gold Cup double in the same season.

Her victory also provided another major success for Skelton, who would go on to claim his first British Jump Trainers’ Championship at the conclusion of the campaign.

Dan Skelton’s Remarkable Start to the 2026/27 Season

Skelton has continued his excellent form into the new National Hunt season, having already surpassed 100 winners before the end of October.

The champion trainer enjoyed another successful weekend at Cheltenham’s Showcase Meeting, where Here Comes Georgie and North Shore provided a double on Saturday 24th October.

Here Comes Georgie, purchased for just £7,000 earlier this year, made a winning debut for Skelton in the £100,000 William Hill Best Odds Guaranteed Handicap Chase. Ridden by Harry Skelton, the eight-year-old defeated Katate Dori by one and a quarter lengths.

The victory helped Skelton surpass £1 million in prize money for the season before the end of October, underlining his ambitions to challenge Martin Pipe’s longstanding record of 243 winners in a British jumps campaign.

Having become the first British jumps trainer to exceed £5 million in prize money during a single season in 2025/26, Skelton has established himself among the leading figures in National Hunt racing.

With several high-profile horses preparing to return over the coming weeks, Newbury could provide another opportunity to strengthen his position at the top of the sport.

Which Dan Skelton Horses Could Run in the 2026 Coral Gold Cup?

Skelton has discussed several possible runners for this year’s contest, with Panic Attack, Mr Hope Street and Here Comes Georgie all potentially heading to Newbury.

Panic Attack

The defending champion remains a leading name to watch following her outstanding performances last season.

Now aged ten, Panic Attack followed her Coral Gold Cup victory with another success at Newbury in January before finishing third in the Mares’ Chase at the Cheltenham Festival in March. Her subsequent Grand National challenge ended early when she fell at the third fence at Aintree.

Despite that disappointment, Skelton has confirmed that the mare remains part of his plans for the 2026/27 season.

He intends to begin her campaign at Carlisle in November before considering another attempt at the Coral Gold Cup, although mares-only races remain alternative options.

Should she return to Newbury, Panic Attack would be attempting to join an exclusive group of horses to have won the famous handicap chase on more than one occasion.

Mandarin, Arkle and Denman are currently the only three horses to have achieved that feat.

Mr Hope Street

Another possible contender is Mr Hope Street, who ended last season with an impressive victory in the Freebooter Handicap Chase at Aintree’s Grand National Festival.

Ridden by Harry Skelton, the eight-year-old defeated Lookaway in a competitive three-mile contest, producing a determined finish to secure victory by a head.

The result was particularly encouraging after the horse had experienced an interrupted campaign because of a minor tendon problem.

Skelton has indicated that Mr Hope Street will receive an entry for the Coral Gold Cup, believing that races over three miles suit his strengths.

His ability to perform over staying distances makes him an interesting potential contender, although his trainer has yet to finalise where he will make his seasonal return.

Here Comes Georgie

Perhaps the most intriguing addition to Skelton’s potential Newbury team is Here Comes Georgie, whose victory at Cheltenham on Saturday 24th October has brought the Coral Gold Cup firmly into consideration.

The eight-year-old was making his first appearance for the Skelton stable after being purchased from Dylan Cunha’s yard earlier this year.

Competing over three miles and one furlong for the first time, Here Comes Georgie demonstrated his stamina by defeating Katate Dori in the feature handicap chase at Cheltenham.

Following the victory, Skelton identified the Coral Gold Cup as his preferred next target, provided the horse can secure a place in the field.

The Becher Chase at Aintree has also been mentioned as a possible alternative, meaning his participation at Newbury will depend on his handicap position and eligibility.

Nevertheless, his latest performance has provided Skelton with another potential contender for one of the biggest staying handicaps of the autumn.

Can Skelton Win the Coral Gold Cup for a Second Consecutive Year?

Although Skelton appears to have several promising options, winning consecutive Coral Gold Cups would be a significant achievement.

The race regularly attracts a competitive field of experienced staying chasers, with runners required to combine stamina, accurate jumping and the ability to perform under demanding handicap conditions.

Recent winners demonstrate just how competitive the contest can be.

Paul Nicholls won the 2024 renewal with Kandoo Kid, ridden by Harry Cobden, while Jamie Snowden trained Datsalrightgino to victory under Gavin Sheehan in 2023.

The Coral Gold Cup has also produced some of the most memorable performances in British jumps racing, with legendary horses including Arkle, Denman and Native River featuring among its former winners.

For Skelton, the challenge will be selecting the right horse for the conditions and ensuring his chosen runner arrives at Newbury in peak form.

Panic Attack has already demonstrated her ability to win the race, Mr Hope Street has proven himself in a competitive staying handicap, and Here Comes Georgie arrives on the back of an eye-catching performance at Cheltenham.

With the final field still to be established, all three remain interesting possibilities rather than confirmed runners.

Coral Gold Cup 2026: What to Expect at Newbury

The 2026 Coral Gold Cup will take place at Newbury Racecourse on Saturday 28th November, forming the centrepiece of a two-day meeting that begins on Friday 27th November.

The £250,000 Premier Handicap Chase is one of the most prestigious contests of the early National Hunt season, testing runners over approximately three miles and two furlongs.

With leading trainers from Britain and Ireland expected to target the contest, another competitive renewal looks likely as the winter jumps campaign gathers momentum.

Racing enthusiasts looking to attend can also explore official Coral Gold Cup hospitality packages through Eventmasters, an Official Hospitality Supplier directly appointed by Newbury Racecourse.

With Skelton’s stable already enjoying another outstanding campaign, attention will turn to his final runners and whether the defending champion can return to Newbury.

A second successive Coral Gold Cup victory would be another major achievement for the champion trainer, but with the likes of Panic Attack, Mr Hope Street and Here Comes Georgie under consideration, Skelton could have more than one opportunity to challenge for the prize.

Coral Gold Cup 2026 FAQs

When is the Coral Gold Cup 2026?

The 2026 Coral Gold Cup takes place on Saturday 28th November at Newbury Racecourse in Berkshire. It is the feature race of the two-day Coral Gold Cup Meeting, which begins on Friday 27th November.

Who won the Coral Gold Cup in 2025?

Panic Attack won the 2025 Coral Gold Cup for trainer Dan Skelton and jockey Tristan Durrell. The mare defeated Three Card Brag by six and a half lengths, completing a historic double following her Paddy Power Gold Cup success at Cheltenham.

Which Dan Skelton horses could run in the 2026 Coral Gold Cup?

Panic Attack, Mr Hope Street and Here Comes Georgie are among the horses Skelton has identified as possible contenders. Their participation will depend on training plans, entries and final declarations.

Has any horse won the Coral Gold Cup twice?

Yes. Three horses have won the race twice: Mandarin in 1957 and 1961, Arkle in 1964 and 1965, and Denman in 2007 and 2009.

How much is the Coral Gold Cup worth?

The 2026 Coral Gold Cup is a £250,000 Premier Handicap Chase, making it one of the most valuable staying handicap chases of the early National Hunt season.