Amid falling crowds and a growing sense that the Cheltenham Festival had become too predictable, the opening day delivered an extraordinary spectacle that defied expectations. In a dramatic and chaotic four minutes, Golden Ace, a 25-1 outsider, secured one of the most unexpected Champion Hurdle victories in recent memory, capitalizing on the falls of both Constitution Hill and State Man.
Anticipation had been high for this renewal of hurdling’s championship event, with Constitution Hill seeking to reclaim his crown and extend his 10-race unbeaten streak. The early stages followed a familiar script, with the odds-on favorite settling in third behind Brighterdaysahead. However, in a shocking turn of events, Constitution Hill clipped the top of the fifth hurdle and fell, abruptly ending his challenge.
His exit left Brighterdaysahead as the frontrunner, but she was already under pressure from Jack Kennedy in the saddle as State Man, the defending champion, moved up ominously on the outside. Approaching the final hurdle, State Man looked set to claim victory, surging into a commanding five-length lead with Golden Ace in pursuit. However, just as it had for Constitution Hill earlier, a slight mistake proved disastrous State Man clipped the final hurdle and crashed out, leaving Golden Ace to seize an improbable triumph.
Both Constitution Hill and State Man emerged unscathed from their falls, while Lorcan Williams, Golden Ace’s jockey, expressed sheer disbelief at the outcome.
“I’m shell-shocked,” Williams admitted. “She wasn’t travelling as well as I wanted in the latter part of the race, and I was just hoping to finish strong. Then suddenly, everything changed.”
Williams acknowledged that he and trainer Jeremy Scott had initially intended to run Golden Ace in the Mares’ Hurdle but were overruled by owner Ian Gosden, a decision that ultimately led to an extraordinary victory.
Scott, a former dairy farmer turned trainer, was quick to credit his wife, Camilla, and the rest of his team for their efforts in making this triumph possible.
“I couldn’t even dream it,” he said. “I must be fast asleep because this doesn’t feel real. Camilla does so much work at home, and she’s the real genius behind it all.”
He admitted that he and Gosden had not been entirely in agreement over the decision to enter the Champion Hurdle but ultimately accepted the owner’s call.
“We thought we might sneak some prize money, but never imagined we could win. It’s extraordinary how things work out.”
Meanwhile, Nicky Henderson, trainer of Constitution Hill, reassured that his star hurdler was in good spirits despite the fall.
“He’s very bright and breezy,” Henderson said. “He was in fantastic form leading up to the race, but these things happen. Poor old State Man too it’s unbelievable that they both fell like that today.”
The day had begun with high expectations for the four major Grade One favorites, though only two managed to justify their status. Kopek Des Bordes electrified the crowd with his victory in the Supreme Novice Hurdle, while Lossiemouth successfully defended her Mares’ Hurdle crown, validating Scott’s earlier concerns about facing her in that race.
The Arkle Trophy produced another thrilling finish, with 1-2 favorite Majborough only managing third in a tight four-horse battle. In a late surge, Jango Baie, trained by Henderson and ridden by Nico de Boinville, claimed the win ahead of Only By Night, while L’Eau Du Sud, who had led over the last, finished fourth.
“It was a brilliant ride,” Henderson remarked. “We planned to make the running, but he just couldn’t go fast enough early on. Luckily, he flew the last hurdle and finished full of running. I didn’t know he had that turn of foot, to be honest.”
The first day of the festival proved anything but predictable, delivering drama, upsets, and a new Champion Hurdler in Golden Ace, whose remarkable victory will be remembered for years to come.
