Constitution Hill suffers fall in dramatic Champion Hurdle, as Nicky Henderson claims Arkle win on Day One at Cheltenham Festival
Constitution Hill suffered a fall in a dramatic Champion Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.
Lambourn trainer Nicky Henderson’s superstar was a 4/6 favourite going into the opening day’s headline race.
He suffered a fall with four hurdles left to jump as he crashed out of the race.
2024 winner State Man then took the lead, but suffered a fall of his own with just moments left of the race.
That handed victory to Golden Ace, a 25-1 outsider trained Jeremy Scott and ridden by Lorcan Williams.
None of the race’s top three horses, Constitution Hill, State Man or Brighterdaysahead were able to win the race, in one of the most shocking moments of the season.
Both horses were confirmed to be ok following their falls.
“They’re all okay, that’s the main thing,” trainer Nicky Henderson told ITV Racing.
“Two horses and two jockeys have had proper old falls.
“Surely there will be a rather fun day in Punchestown, I hope.
“That’s where I’d like to go.
“It’s cruel to be fair.
“He was back, and you can’t have him any better than what he was today.
“It’s tough.
“It took a lot of heartache to get back here.
“If you’re going to play it, you’ve got to take what comes.”
This result comes following a remarkable comeback for Constitution Hill, who was forced to miss last year’s festival through illness.
He returned this season in excellent form, proving his class in the run-up to Cheltenham.
There was success for Seven Barrows on the opening day, as Jango Baie pulled off a dramatic late comeback to win the Arkle Chase.
He struggled to keep up with the early pace, almost being left behind by the leaders.
Henderson’s horse was almost out of the television shot entirely with two to jump, before De Boinville pulled the trigger.
He surged into the lead at the very last moment, beating favourite Majborough and handing his jockey a 50th Grade One victory.
“He’s not a two-miler as you can see,” Henderson told ITV Racing.
“He couldn’t go fast enough.
“But he’s never been as fast as he came up the hill.
“That was the fastest he’s ever been in his life.
“He was very brave to suddenly take off like that.
“He flew the last.
“It’s just lovely to be back.”
