By Daithi O’Lionachain, Grassroots Gazette Racing Correspondent

Few races in Cheltenham Festival history have produced the level of shock and drama witnessed in the Champion Hurdle today. It was meant to be the coronation of Constitution Hill, a horse heralded as the next great hurdler, unbeaten in ten outings and regarded as near-invincible. But instead of a procession to glory, the race unravelled into one of the most chaotic spectacles Prestbury Park has ever seen.

By the time the final flight loomed, two of the most dominant hurdlers in modern racing had both crashed out of contention, leaving the path clear for a 25-1 outsider, Golden Ace, to write her own story into the annals of festival history.

The Fall of the Giants
From the moment the tapes went up, Constitution Hill settled into his familiar stalking position under Nico de Boinville, biding his time behind State Man, the formidable Irish challenger trained by Willie Mullins. The race appeared to be developing as expected—two elite performers locking horns in a tactical battle.

Then, disaster struck. Constitution Hill, moving powerfully, made a rare misjudgment at the fifth hurdle and crashed to the turf. Gasps rippled through the Cheltenham crowd, as the seemingly invincible champion found himself in unfamiliar territory—on the ground.

With the race now in State Man’s hands, Paul Townend pushed forward, attempting to capitalise. For a moment, it looked as though he would assume the crown left vacant by Constitution Hill’s departure. But the chaos wasn’t over. The final hurdle proved decisive, and in an astonishing twist, State Man also came to grief.

Two of the most dominant hurdlers of recent seasons were gone. And suddenly, an opportunity presented itself to an unexpected contender.

Golden Ace’s Moment of Glory
Golden Ace had been lurking in the midfield, running a solid but unspectacular race. The six-year-old mare, trained by Jeremy Scott, was initially entered for the Mares’ Hurdle before connections made the bold call to step up in class. It was a decision few questioned—she was a talented festival winner from last year—but few could have foreseen the way this race would unfold.

With the two favourites out of the picture, jockey Lorcan Williams kept his cool, sensing the extraordinary opportunity in front of him. As the race opened up, he asked Golden Ace for more, and she responded with a turn of foot that left the remaining contenders in her wake.

Clearing the last with a confident leap, she powered up the Cheltenham hill, her rivals unable to match the surge. By the time she crossed the line, the result was emphatic—a nine-length victory that stunned onlookers and left connections in a state of disbelief.

A Historic Festival Moment
“I don’t think I’ve fully processed it,” Williams admitted post-race. “These things don’t happen. You dream about them, but you never really think you’ll be in the middle of one.”

For trainer Jeremy Scott, it was a defining moment in his career. A horse bought for a modest 12,000 guineas, now standing as a Champion Hurdle winner.

The result also sparked discussion about Constitution Hill’s future. Was today a one-off, or does this mark a turning point in his dominance? The same question will hang over State Man. But for now, Cheltenham belongs to Golden Ace—a mare who, against all odds, seized the opportunity of a lifetime.