Panic Attack has "all the qualities" needed to become the first mare to win the Grand National in 75 years, according to her trainer Dan Skelton.
The 10-year-old mare has emerged as a strong contender for Saturday's prestigious race at Aintree, competing for favoritism alongside 2024 champion I Am Maximus. However, history presents a significant challenge: the last mare to claim victory was Nickel Coin back in 1951.
"I love that a mare hasn't won it for that long because it means there is going to be one soon enough - right?" Skelton told reporters. "I think, probably, there hasn't been a mare for so long because there hasn't been many take the challenge."
Panic Attack enters the race with impressive recent form, having secured third place in last month's Mares Chase at the Cheltenham Festival. Prior to that, she recorded three consecutive victories, including triumphs in the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham in November and the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury just two weeks apart.
Skelton expressed confidence in his horse's abilities, noting: "All of our qualities are what you need to win the race - she has a great temperament, she jumps well, she'll handle the ground, she'll handle the occasion beforehand. The four-mile 2f trip is a long way for a horse to run and jump so you need to be sure you'll get that marathon trip and everything about her suggests she will."
Statistics reveal the rarity of mares in recent Grand Nationals. Since 2013, only 11 mares have competed among 461 total runners. Of those, seven completed the race, with one falling, one being pulled up, and two unseating their riders. The most recent mare to place was Magic of Light, who finished second in 2019.
Panic Attack will be ridden by Harry Skelton, Dan's brother, in the race scheduled for 16:00 BST on Saturday. The trainer, who is approaching his first British Trainers' Championship victory and recently became the first to surpass £4 million in seasonal prize money, emphasized the significance of the event.
"We run a lot of horses through the year - I won't say it's just another race because it's not," Skelton explained. "It's the most exciting race of the year and that's why I'm here talking to you. It is the ultimate for our sport. It is a national institution, a phenomenal race and something that everyone takes interest in."
Skelton concluded with optimism about breaking the longstanding mare drought: "I think a mare will win pretty soon and hopefully it's this week."