Golden Ace Claims Surprise Champion Hurdle Victory

The Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham produced a surprise result with Golden Ace taking the 25-1 first after both Constitution Hill and State Man fell in the course of the race. It was an outcome that shocked fans, as the Jeremy Scott-trained horse sailed ahead of the field.

Constitution Hill, denoted as the 2023 winning entry, an overwhelming all-time favorite, with an undefeated streak run on the race course, had an early mishap that ironically shocked the crowd and basically turned the race upside down. Nevertheless, both he and Nico de Boinville came through unscratched.

The reigning champion of last year, the State Man seemed to be in control as the race nears its end. Suffering from a heavy lead by jockey Paul Townend, he seemed set to retain his title. Nevertheless, all came crashing down after a fall from the last hurdle.

With the two previous frontrunners eliminated from the race, Lorcan Williams has taken Golden Ace to the front in the dying moments of the contest, finishing clear by nine lengths from 66-1 outsider Burdett Enough for a well-earned unexpected victory in sports.

Speaking after the race, Williams struggled to contain his emotions. “I’m lost for words. This is the best day of my life by far. You dream of these moments as a kid. I hope the others are OK – Constitution Hill and State Man are iconic horses.”

Trainer Jeremy Scott acknowledged the unpredictable nature of the event. “It is unfortunate that these two horses have been brought down from leading positioning, but we are thankful for the outcome.”

Ian Gosden’s decision to enter his mare Golden Ace for the Champion Hurdle instead of the Mares’ Hurdle proved victorious, as Golden Ace upheld her undefeated streak in fine style.

Ian Gosden opted for the Champion Hurdle for his mare, Golden Ace, in preference to the Mares’ Hurdle. His choice paid off since Golden Ace performed brilliantly to stretch her unbeaten run to seven. Gosden’s explanation for his choice was eloquently summed up by saying, “He who dares, wins, Rodney,” a line straight out of the famous sitcom Only Fools and Horses.

The unexpected victory in sports benefited bookmakers, as Constitution Hill’s early exit prevented what could have been a significant payout. Estimates suggest that his fall saved the betting industry nearly 10 million.

Meanwhile, those who backed Golden Ace and Burdett Road saw substantial returns, as both horses were considered long shots before the race.

Constitution Hill came to the race undefeated streak, his record boasting 10 prior victories. The intervening health issues that for once gave cause to consider fitness immediately before the race were put behind him with high hopes of another dazzling performance. His early fall dashed those hopes, marking an abrupt and disappointing end to his campaign.

Trainer Nicky Henderson expressed relief that neither horse nor jockey suffered serious injuries.

“Nobody is hurt. They’re two jockeys and two horses who’ve had proper old falls, but they’re all OK. That’s the main thing.”

For much of the race, State Man looked set for back-to-back wins. His lead seemed insurmountable until the final hurdle, where his fall turned the race on its head. The unexpected victory in sports turn left connections frustrated, but they were relieved that the horse emerged unharmed.

The attendance figures on the opening day of the Cheltenham Festival were strikingly less than those at the races themselves. Reported numbers suggest a crowd of 55,498, almost 5,000 fewer than the previous year. Rising accommodation prices and all-round rising costs associated with the festival are some of the causes cited as affecting attendance.

Organizers will likely review the situation to address concerns and maintain strong attendance figures in future editions of the event.

Golden Ace’s unexpected victory in sports will be talked about for years to come. While the falls of Constitution Hill and State Man played a role in shaping the outcome, Golden Ace delivered a strong performance when it mattered most.

For jockey Lorcan Williams and trainer Jeremy Scott, this win stands as a major career achievement, proving that anything can happen on the big stage at Cheltenham.