- Constitution Hill fell as he tried to chase down the first two horses
- Golden Ace took advantage to storm clear and win the Champion Hurdle
Golden Ace has won the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham after race favourite Constitution Hill dramatically fell.
Constitution Hill was in the chasing pack with four hurdles to go but mistimed his jump, while State Man also fell shortly afterwards.
After winning the Ryanair Mares Novices’ Hurdle at last year’s Festival, Golden Ace now has another triumph on the biggest stage.
Burdett Road took second place, with Winter Fog finishing third.
Jockey Lorcan Williams hailed his win as a ‘dream’ moment in his career.
‘I’m lost for words,’ he told ITV racing. ‘You dream of these moments, watching them.
Golden Ace stormed to victory in the Champion Hurdle after Constitution Hill fell
Jockey Lorcan Williams kept his cool to seal the win, and labelled it a ‘dream’ moment
Race favourite Constitution Hill and State Man (pictured) were in the chasing pack before falling
‘I hope Paul and State Man are okay. Fair play to you Gosden for picking the race. We wanted to go for the Mares’, but I’m not complaining now. I’m a small part of the team and I’m just delighted to be involved.
‘What I was thinking was, my agent told me watch Constitution Hill – when he was out of the race, I thought bloody hell I’ll stay on for second.’
Asked if it was the best day of his life, Williams replied: ‘By far’.
Golden Ace’s trainer, Jeremy Scott, added: ‘I think you’ve got to thump me because this isn’t a dream. What a bizarre five minutes. As long as everybody’s okay, just magic.
‘She’s a dear. We’re so lucky to have her, just given us the two most magical days of my life, barring my wedding.
‘We were of two slight variations of opinions going into this. But (Ian Gosden) pays the bills. And as Del Boy says, “who dares wins, Rodney”.’
The British Horse Authority (BHA) later confirmed that Constitution Hill and State Man were ‘absolutely fine’ following their falls.
