Champion Hurdle twist on opening day at Cheltenham

Script torn up as favourite Constitution Hill and last year's winner State Man fall and outsider Golden Ace takes win

- MICHAEL JONES

The opening day of the Cheltenham Festival provided thrills and excitement aplenty, with the biggest twist coming in the headline Champion Hurdle race. Golden Ace took the trophy for jockey Lorcan Williams and trainer Jeremy Scott after the prerace favourite, Constitution Hill, and last year’s champion, State Man, both fell.

Williams held his charge in the middle of the field, kept up the pace, and took advantage of great fortune to shock bookmakers and punters alike. Earlier in the day last year’s champion jockey and trainer duo, Paul Townend and Willie Mullins, kicked off the festival with a comfortable win for Kopek Des Bordes while Jango Baie ran an astounding race to triumph in the Arkle Novices’ Chase.

The lead-up to the Champions Day’s showpiece was a predictable affair, with favourites triumphing in three of the first four races, yet the Champion Hurdle itself was anything but. King of Kingsfield took the early lead with Brighterdaysahead and Constitution Hill well placed in second and third. Those two dominated much of the pre-festival chatter and spectators were eager to see how their battle would play out.

The field were all jumping smoothly at the halfway mark before the turn down the hill changed everything. Last year’s champion, State Man, pushed further forward and there was a huddle of horses leaping over the fifth hurdle. Something had to give. Unfortunately, it was the legs of Constitution Hill. The 1/2 favourite and 2023 champion was crowded as they approached the jump. He clipped the newly padded hurdle, landed awkwardly and dismounted jockey Nico de Boinville.