Golden Ace Stuns in Cheltenham’s Champion Hurdle as Favourite Constitution Hill Falls
Golden Ace Triumphs in Cheltenham’s Champion Hurdle as Constitution Hill Falls
By Sam Brookes | Updated: 16:31 GMT, 11 March 2025
Golden Ace clinched a stunning victory in the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham Festival after heavy favorite Constitution Hill suffered a dramatic fall during the race. The mare, trained by Jeremy Scott and ridden by jockey Lorcan Williams, seized the opportunity to surge ahead, securing her second major win at the Festival following her 2024 Ryanair Mares Novices’ Hurdle triumph.
Race Drama Unfolds
Constitution Hill, a strong contender, stumbled at the fourth-to-last hurdle, unseating jockey Nico de Boinville. Moments later, State Man also fell, leaving the field wide open. Golden Ace capitalized on the chaos, pulling clear to win decisively. Burdett Road finished second, with Winter Fog taking third.
[IMAGE: Golden Ace leaps a hurdle, leading the pack. Caption: Golden Ace stormed to victory after favorites faltered.]
Jockey’s Dream Realized
An emotional Lorcan Williams described the win as a career highlight: “I’m lost for words. You dream of moments like this,” he told ITV Racing. “When Constitution Hill fell, I thought, ‘Stay calm and push for second.’ But she just kept going—it’s unbelievable.” Williams praised trainer Scott and owner Ian Gosden for their strategic decision to enter the Champion Hurdle instead of the Mares’ race.
Trainer’s Joy
Scott called the victory “magical,” adding, “This is up there with my wedding day! Golden Ace is special—she’s given us two unforgettable days.” He humorously referenced the sitcom Only Fools and Horses, crediting Gosden’s bold choice: “Who dares wins, Rodney!”
[IMAGE: Lorcan Williams celebrating post-race. Caption: Williams hailed the win as the "best day of his life."]
Safety First
Both Williams and Scott expressed relief that the fallen jockeys and horses escaped serious injury. “Racing’s highs and lows—we’re just glad everyone’s okay,” Scott said.
Golden Ace’s victory marks a historic moment for her team, proving resilience and strategy can trump favoritism. The Cheltenham Festival continues with more thrilling races ahead.
Word count: 298
(Note: Placeholder images indicated; final version would include actual images from the event.)
