Drama at Newcastle as Favourite Falls
The highly anticipated return of the superstar hurdler Constitution Hill ended in dramatic and shocking fashion at Newcastle's Grade One BetMGM Fighting Fifth Hurdle. The 6-4 favourite, expected to cement his status as an all-time great, fell during the race, leaving the path clear for a major upset.
Golden Ace Seizes the Opportunity
In a remarkable turn of events, Golden Ace, a 22-1 outsider trained by Jeremy Scott, capitalised on the chaos to claim a stunning victory. The mare had previously profited from the falls of top contenders at the Cheltenham Festival and repeated the feat here. She finished ahead of Anzadam and Nemean Lion in a renewal that will be long remembered for its unpredictability.
The drama was not confined to Constitution Hill. The New Lion, who had been leading in the straight, also came down in a incident-packed race. Fortunately, in a huge relief to connections and racing fans, both Constitution Hill and The New Lion were reported to have galloped away from their falls and were unscathed.
Henderson's Heartbreak and Uncertainty
A visibly shaken Nicky Henderson, the trainer of Constitution Hill, spoke to ITV Racing immediately after the race. "They are both fine which is all that matters to be honest with you," Henderson stated, confirming that jockey Nico de Boinville was also unharmed. He expressed his disbelief, adding, "I loved the way he jumped the first. I can't believe it."
This incident marks another setback for the eight-year-old, who also fell at the Cheltenham and Aintree festivals last season. The latest fall raises serious questions about his future over hurdles. Henderson openly questioned what comes next, even sarcastically suggesting "a two-mile maiden on the Flat" as a potential option.
"Let's get rational. It shakes you, but it's really sad. Can you keep on asking him to do it?" a contemplative Henderson mused. "I can't teach him any more. We have listened to every theory in the book. His work has been superb but he has got to jump eight hurdles and that is something he is not able to do."
The racing world is now left to ponder the future of a horse once considered invincible, while celebrating the against-the-odds triumph of the resilient Golden Ace.
