Constitution Hill fell for the third time in his past four starts during the Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle on Saturday, extending a troubling pattern for the once-dominant hurdler. The 2023 Champion Hurdle winner, who had been sent off as favourite, crashed out at the second flight, leaving Golden Ace to capitalise at long odds.
Golden Ace, a 22-1 shot, repeated her dramatic Champion Hurdle victory from March, when Constitution Hill also fell. The mare, trained by Jeremy Scott, now heads to next year's festival at 16-1 for a successful defence, though she is unlikely to reach Constitution Hill's peak rating.
Nicky Henderson, Constitution Hill's trainer, expressed despair after the race. 'First and foremost he's fine, which is all that matters,' Henderson told ITV Racing. 'I loved the way he went and jumped the first and then, I just can't believe it. It's getting to something. Let's all think about it and let's not be rash, but it's sad, it's really sad.'
The New Lion, unbeaten in five starts, also fell in the closing stages. Trainer Dan Skelton said, 'They were going so fast, proper two-mile championship speed. It's not ideal to be on the floor. We'll dust ourselves down and get him jumping.'
Skelton's afternoon improved as Panic Attack won the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury, becoming the fourth horse in 60 years to complete the Paddy Power Gold Cup and Coral Gold Cup double. The victory extended Skelton's lead in the UK Trainers' Championship, with Paddy Power cutting him to 1-5 to win the title for the first time.
