Golden Ace swept through to take victory in a dramatic renewal of the BetMGM Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle as both Constitution Hill and The New Lion came to grief.
The Nicky Henderson-trained Constitution Hill was the 6-4 favourite as he looked to get his career back on track following a disappointing end to last season, with Nico de Boinville in the saddle for a confident team following a pleasing racecourse gallop.
A neat jump at the first was followed by a familiar scene at the second, however, as Constitution Hill misjudged his stride and hit the deck before The New Lion then did the same thing at the penultimate flight having taken up the running.
It was Golden Ace who was left to pick up the pieces as she was in last season's Champion Hurdle, and having brushed aside Anzadam and Nemean Lion, she took success under Lorcan Williams at 22-1.
"First and foremost he's fine, which is all that matters. That’s the second time he’s fallen, seemingly handing the race to someone else and they don’t get round like the Champion Hurdle. The New Lion has gone as well, I hope he’s all right too," Henderson said from Newbury.
"I loved the way he went and jumped the first and then, I just can’t believe it."
When asked what will come next for his eight-times Grade One winner, the Seven Barrows handler replied: "A two-mile maiden on the Flat? Seriously, why not? I would think about 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. You can’t keep asking him to do it, it doesn’t seem fair on anybody.
"Poor Michael [Buckley, owner], I could cry for him. We’ve done everything, why has this habit crept in? It’s hard to go on watching it but I can’t do any more.
"Everybody has got their own ideas and we’ve listened to every theory in the book, the work has been fantastic. His jumping has been great. His work has just been superb but you’ve got to jump eight flights of hurdles and at the moment that’s just something he doesn’t seem able to do."
Constitution Hill schooled over fences last term as Henderson sought to resolve his jumping issues, but the trainer has categorically ruled out a competitive start in the chasing sphere.
Henderson commented: "Everybody has been very kind and I appreciate it. We can't carry on like this and I can guarantee, and Nico confirms this, that jumping fences is not the way to go.
"Somebody will get hurt and we’re not prepared to take that risk."
Where it all went wrong for Constitution Hill & The New Lion! pic.twitter.com/FNgDRVr2sn
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) November 29, 2025
"I'm glad everyone is up OK, who could believe Constitution Hill coming down again?" said winning trainer Jeremy Scott.
"She’s run a brilliant race, I’m so pleased we’ve got her back from Wetherby (beaten in a Listed race at the start of the month). We were really flummoxed because I thought we had her so well then.
"We were beaten nearly a mile from home and when we got her back and scoped her we found she had a bit of mucus so I guess that was the reason why, it was a bit of a shocker.
"We then scoped her again on the Tuesday and there was nothing there, we changed the way we travelled her up and stayed the night. Whether the travelling stressed her out I don’t know, but she was good today."
Scott went on: "We must be everybody’s nemesis! I’m just so glad after Wetherby as I could not get my head around it.
"Her jumping was very good today and we’ve beaten Anzadam whatever. I still don’t think we’re quite there, so there’s hopefully more to come.
"I couldn’t come up with a reason not to run, I didn’t want to! It was either here or Kempton and I thought this would suit her better."
Golden Ace was cut to 14-1 from 25s by Paddy Power for the defence of her Champion Hurdle title in March, with Lossiemouth the 7-4 favourite and The New Lion next best on 9-2. Constitution Hill is now a 10-1 chance with the same firm.
Scott added: "Two Grade Ones now, that’s not bad. I think we’ll go for the International next before the Champion Hurdle."
