Golden Ace was the surprise winner in the Champion Hurdle after Constitution Hill this afternoon, and then the statesman fell.
Constitution Hill, the winner in 2023, went out as 1/2 favorite and was placed in the middle to the fourth last last, which snapped to air from the packed stands.
State you took up running and seemed to drive to a second win in two years to reach the last hurdle and the output of the driver Paul Townend.
State you fall last!
Golden Ace wins a ridiculous Unibet Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy 😳#Itvracing | #Cheltenhamfestival | @Williams_lorcan pic.twitter.com/oqegggduggsm
– ITV Racing (@itvracing) March 11, 2025
This resulted in Golden Ace from the small pack of horses that lured over the finish line.
“I am lost for words, you dream of these moments as a child,” said Jockey Lorcan Williams.
Kopek of the on -board wins the opening race
The late decay of the statesman will be a big blow for townend and trainer Willie Mullins, but you should find a consolation when winning the opening race of the festival, the hurdle of Michael O’Sullivan Supreme Novices.
Kopek of the on -board was the winner after Townend had managed to go over the last one this time and to achieve an emotional victory for the owner Charlie McCarthy, which was operated on last month for kidney cancer.
It was also a moving occasion for Townend in a race that was dedicated to the young Jockey O’Sullivan, who tragically died last month after a fall at the age of 24.
Joy for Henderson
Nicky Henderson achieved a first festival victory in two years after a mistake decimated his chances in 2024 when Jango Baie won the chase of Arkle Novices. Odd-on favorite Majborough could only manage the third.
The combination of townend-mullin has also teamed up to win the hurdle of Mares.
