Golden Ace was a shock winner of an incredible Unibet Champion Hurdle, in which both Constitution Hill and State Man crashed out – the latter clear as he jumped the last in front.
Constitution Hill departed relatively early on in the Cheltenham showpiece and it was Brighterdaysahead who looked set to battle it out with State Man up the hill, but Willie Mullins’ defending champion came down at the final flight, just as he looked set to run out an emphatic winner. Brighterdaysahead was subsequently hampered, although she did look beaten at the time.
It was left then to the Jeremy Scott-trained Golden Ace, who did not falter when the opportunity was handed to her and carried Lorcan Williams to victory at 25-1. Burdett Road (66-1) took the runner-up spot.
Scott said of his Ian Gosden-owned winner, who was triumphing at the showcase meeting for the second time after winning last year’s mares’ novices’ hurdle: “I couldn’t even dream that would happen. I’ve just asked someone to thump me because I must be dreaming, it is just bizarre.
“It’s a tragedy those horses came down and it spoilt the race entirely, we looked booked for second if not third but then State Man came down so it is marred by that, but the gods have favoured us.
“My owner was not at loggerheads (with me) because he pays the bills, but he was very keen to have a runner in the Champion Hurdle and we thought we could nick a bit of prize-money and we didn’t think we could beat Lossiemouth (in the Mares’ Hurdle) – it’s extraordinary how things work out.
“She is unbeaten here so she obviously likes the track. It’s interesting Willie tends not to run his mares much before Christmas so maybe that might be the way to go next year.
“Winning the Champion Hurdle is brilliant for the whole team, it’s amazing.”
Both Constitution Hill and State Man were reported none the worse, as were jockeys Nico de Boinville and Paul Townend.
Scott added: “I haven’t taken in it yet and I hope the other two are OK, it was such an odd race.
“This race wasn’t my initial thought, but it’s a horse race and anything can happen.”
A proud Gosden said of the decision to run in the Champion rather than the Mares’ Hurdle: “He who dares, wins, Rodney!
“You’ve got to be in it to win it, haven’t you? I watched every race Lossiemouth has ever had and she has never come off the bridle against a mare, the only time she has was against Constitution Hill.
“So I just thought we may as well go for it.
“Jeremy and his whole team do a superb job and this mare is something special.
“This, winning a Champion Hurdle, is beyond my dreams. Last year I was quite happy, winning at the Festival for the first time and now I’ve done this. I’ll have to come back next year now, won’t I!
“I think she might go up a bit in the weights!”
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