SAM Thomas had to settle for second and a £34,000 pay day in the £160,000 Paddy Power Gold Cup Handicap Chase at Cheltenham, as 100/30 favourite Vincenzo was headed by Dan and Harry Skelton's 6/1 shot Panic Attack.

Cheltenham’s richest handicap over 2m 4f had a distinctly open feel even before Friday night’s withdrawal of ante-post favourite Jagwar, as Storm Claudia left its mark on the Cotswolds.

And barely half a length separated five fancied runners on the turn for home, with last season's winner Il Ridoto, Abergavenny-raised Thomas's Vincenzo, the enigmatic Bad and Conyers Hill, bidding to end Ireland’s miserable recent record in this race, all taking aim at victory in Saturday’s highlight.

But in a battle of courage it was the mare who triumphed, bursting into the lead with a tidy jump at the last to head Vincenzo ridden by Dylan Johnston, before galloping to the line for a 4L win.

Testing conditions added to the challenge of Cheltenham’s notoriously stamina-sapping climb to the line, with Hoe Joly Smoke picking up the pieces to complete a first and third for the Skelton stable.

It was a rare defeat this term for Gold Cup winning jockey-turned-trainer Thomas, having had four winners from seven runners beforehand, but who will now target Cheltenham’s £125,000 December Gold Cup with Vincenzo.

Earlier in the week, stablemate Steel Ally stormed to a 5L win at Carlisle under Johnston in the £50,000 Weatherbys nhstallions.co.uk Graduation Chase over 1m 7f, Thomas' 8/11 favourite taking the £26,388 first prize.

And after Saturday's Gold Cup epic, Thomas was back in the winning enclosure on Sunday at Fontwell, when 11/2 shot Just Over Land came from the back two out to take the BetGoodwin Best Odds Guaranteed Handicap Chase by 2 3/4L under amateur rider Harvey Barfoot-Saunt, landing the £4,880 first prize.