Newbury: Dan Skelton's Heltenham retains Greatwood Gold Cup crown
The Dan Skelton-trained Heltenham reignited his love affair with Newbury, defying odds of 20-1 when storming home up the straight to to regain the Greatwood Gold Cup under Charlie Todd
Saturday 28 February 2026 17:41, UK
Heltenham held off a rallying Blow Your Wad to win the feature BetVictor Greatwood Gold Cup Handicap Chase at Newbury.
Dan Skelton's nine-year-old again demonstrated his love of the Berkshire circuit having won three times before including the Greatwood two years ago.
Charlie Todd sent Heltenham to join Teddy Blue approaching the second-last and asserted his authority between fences to jump the last three clear and extend his advantage.
He idled on the run for the line as Blow Your Wad sensed an opportunity and set off in pursuit, with Heltenham needing the line, but the 20-1 shot just held on to claim his first win since April last year by half a length.
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Todd told Sky Sports Racing: "He's won this race before and he obviously loves it around here.
"He travelled so well throughout and obviously we wanted to take our time, get in a rhythm, and get him jumping. As soon as the eventual runner-up came to us we've gone on again.
"I thought he would definitely stay and have a good chance."
Owner Tracey Lake said: "What a legend he is. So proud of him. I can't believe he's done it because he's fallen a few times as we all know, but this is his ground. He won here two years ago."
Lake's son Josh added: "He just seems to come alive here. All credit to Dan, he does an incredible job. To come here and see him do that is just an absolute joy to watch."
Copperhead turned in a display full of guts and determination to get up and win the 1 Up, Job Done At BetVictor Veterans' Handicap Chase.
The 12-year-old was battling it out the finish with Gabby's Cross two out and Nick Scholfield's charge jumped the final fence two lengths clear.
But the Joe Tizzard-trained 14-1 winner would not quit and gradually ate into Gabby's Cross' advantage, heading him in the final strides to get home by a neck.
