The opening day of the Cheltenham Festival delivered high drama, culminating in an astonishing result in the Unibet Champion Hurdle, where 25-1 outsider GOLDEN ACE triumphed after two of the biggest names in hurdling failed to complete the race. Defending champion STATE MAN looked poised for victory before falling at the last, while 2023 winner CONSTITUTION HILL dramatically unseated his rider at the fifth. With both horses and jockeys confirmed to be unharmed, GOLDEN ACE seized the opportunity, surging to a commanding nine-length victory over 66-1 shot BURDETT ROAD.
The race, regarded as the Festival’s crown jewel, turned into an unexpected contest after the early exits of the favorites. GOLDEN ACE’s victory marked a historic moment, as she became only the seventh mare to win the Champion Hurdle, etching her name alongside some of the greats in Festival history. Previous mares to have won the race include AFRICAN SISTER (1939), DAWN RUN (1984), FLAKEY DOVE (1994), ANNIE POWER (2016), EPATANTE (2020), and HONEYSUCKLE (2021, 2022). Trainer JEREMY SCOTT was left in disbelief after the victory, admitting, “I think my team at home will be as flabbergasted as I am – they’ll be watching it at home now and they’ll definitely be reaching for the drinks cabinet. Amazing, absolutely amazing.”
Scott was quick to credit his team and rider LORCAN WILLIAMS, who secured his third Festival victory in remarkable style. “We’re lucky, we can give our horses time; my wife and family are all involved. Camilla does a lot of the work at home and she has the patience of a saint – she’s the genius, rather than me. Lorcan is part of the team and we work really well together. He’s not had an easy season, as we haven’t, really, and he’s just such a good horseman. Give me a pinch and make sure this isn’t a dream!”
For Williams, the emotions were overwhelming. “Literally, I cannot believe it. She wasn’t travelling as well as I wanted in the latter part of the race; all I was thinking was that we could do with a bit further, then I thought, ‘We’re staying on well for second’, and things started to happen. I hope they’re alright – they’re iconic horses – but we were there to pick up the pieces.”
The race also left room for reflection from some of the sport’s biggest names. STATE MAN’s trainer WILLIE MULLINS acknowledged the unfortunate outcome: “He was just long at it and popped the top of it, but these things happen.” Meanwhile, NICKY HENDERSON, trainer of CONSTITUTION HILL, described the moment as “tough” but remained pragmatic. “You never like to see them fall, but he is okay and walking around there as fresh as you could see. We will just have to think of a plan.”
The day had begun with an emphatic victory for KOPEK DES BORDES (6-4 Favourite) in the Michael O’Sullivan Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, giving trainer Willie Mullins his 104th Festival winner and jockey Paul Townend his 35th. Despite a mistake at the last, the five-year-old showcased his class to defeat WILLIAM MUNNY (8-1) by a length and three quarters. Mullins was delighted with the performance, hinting at a potential switch to chasing for the talented novice later in the season.
Nicky Henderson struck next as JANGO BAIE (5-1) produced a storming late run to take the My Pension Expert Arkle Novices’ Chase, edging out ONLY BY NIGHT and short-priced favorite MAJBOROUGH (1-2). Henderson admitted post-race that JANGO BAIE is likely better suited to longer trips, but his stamina came into play up the famous Cheltenham hill to secure an impressive victory.
In the Ultima Handicap Chase, MYRETOWN (13-2 Favourite) gave Lucinda Russell her third win in the race in four years. Making virtually all under Patrick Wadge, the novice chaser showed his raw ability and resilience to hold off his challengers, confirming Russell’s belief that he was well-handicapped for this contest.
LOSSIEMOUTH (4-6 Favourite) continued her love affair with Cheltenham, securing a third consecutive Festival win with an effortless display in the Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle. Having triumphed in the JCB Triumph Hurdle in 2023 and this race last year, the classy grey justified the decision of connections to bypass the Champion Hurdle in favor of this more winnable assignment. Willie Mullins acknowledged some disappointment in altering their long-term plan, but the victory proved it was the right call.
The Festival’s most successful owner, J.P. McManus, notched his 79th win at the meeting as PUTURHANDSTOGETHER (17-2) landed the Hallgarten & Novum Wines Juvenile Handicap Hurdle. Trainer Joseph O’Brien admitted to being surprised at just how comfortably his runner took the race, praising jockey Mark Walsh for his patience in allowing the horse to find his rhythm before striking late.
The day concluded with a Welsh success story in the Princess Royal National Hunt Novices’ Handicap Chase, as HAITI COULEURS powered home under Ben Jones for trainer Rebecca Curtis. The race, newly named in honor of HRH The Princess Royal and run as a handicap for the first time, saw Curtis secure a meaningful victory, expressing both excitement and nerves before the race due to the high expectations surrounding her charge.
With the drama of the Champion Hurdle still reverberating around Cheltenham, the opening day of the Festival provided a mix of expected brilliance and sensational surprises, setting the stage for an enthralling week ahead.
