The 2025 edition of the Day 1 feature at the Cheltenham Festival was set up to provide a thrilling clash between the 2023 and 2024 winners of the race and one of the most promising up-and-coming mares in the sport.
Unbeaten in 10 starts under rules, including a nine-length romp in the 2023 edition of the Champion Hurdle, the Nicky Henderson-trained superstar Constitution Hill was the overwhelming choice of the market. Opening up at odds of 8/13, a late surge of money saw the mount of Nico de Boinville start at odds of just 1/2.
The Gordon Elliott-trained mare Brighterdaysahead came next in the betting following her staggering 30-length success in the Neville Hotels Hurdle at Leopardstown. With that performance backed up by an impressive time, many fancied the Gigginstown House Stud runner to at least give the favourite something to think about.
State Man was the horse to chase Constitution Hill home in 2023 but had benefitted from his absence to go one better in 2024. He hadn’t been quite at his best in 2024/25, but Willie Mullins was confident in the build-up to the race, suggesting a big run was expected.
Of the others, Winter Fog had shown little to suggest he was up to this level, whilst King Of Kingsfield looked booked to carry out pace-making duties for stablemate Brighterdaysahead. Burdett Road appeared to have place claims at best following a second in the Kingwell Hurdle, but some suspected the mare, Golden Ace, was flying a little under the radar, having beaten Brighterdaysahead in the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle at the 2024 edition of the meeting.
Result
- 1st – Golden Ace 25/1, Jockey: Lorcan Williams, Trainer: Jeremy Scott
- 2nd – Burdett Road 66/1, Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies, Trainer: James Owen
- 3rd – Winter Fog 150/1, Jockey: Brian Hayes, Trainer: Willie Mullins
Prize Money Breakdown
- 1st – £253,215
- 2nd – £95,400
- 3rd – £47,745
- 4th – £23,850
- 5th – £11,970
Tote and Forecast Payouts
- Tote Win – £36.80
- Tote Places – 1st – £3.60, 2nd – £8.10
- Exacta – £346.60
- Computer Straight Forecast (CSF) – £443.28
- Trifecta – £4432.90
Recap
Anyone doubting the unpredictability of the racing game need only rewatch the 2025 Champion Hurdle for an example of how spectacularly the sport can tear up the script. All appeared to be going as expected early, as King Of Kingsfield set out to make the running, tracked through by fellow Giggingstown House Stud runner, Brighterdaysahead. Constitution Hill gained a nice early position in third, just ahead of State Man and Golden Ace, with Winter Fog and Burdett Road bringing up the rear.
The first of what would turn into an error-strewn race came at flight number two, where Burdett Road did nothing to help his cause with a skewed leap. The James Owen star remained upright but appeared to have lost all realistic chance in this field.
Moving into the backstretch, King Of Kingsfield continued to set the fractions, with Brighterdaysahead moving up to his quarters. Constitution Hill remained third, followed by the patiently ridden State Man and Golden Ace. Winter Fog and Burdett Road were still going but beginning to feel the pace.
The first gasp from the packed grandstand came at the fifth hurdle. Badly misjudging his take-off, Constitution Hill came down almost on top of the obstacle, crumpled to the floor, and sent Nico de Boinville crashing to the turf.
Following the fall of the market leader, most expected this to turn into a shootout between the Irish duo of Brighterdaysahead and State Man. Rounding the home turn, that tussle looked set to turn into a one-sided affair. Brighterdaysahead moved past the weakening King Of Kingsfield to lead but was vigorously ridden to do so. In contrast, State Man cruised smoothly into contention. Golden Ace stayed on tenaciously in behind alongside Burdett Road.
Moving into the straight, Paul Townend asked State Man to quicken and received an immediate response, with the reigning champ kicking five lengths clear ahead of the last. Only needing to remain upright to score, State Man instead ploughed through the top of the obstacle to send himself and Townend to the ground.
With Brighterdaysahead weakening disappointingly, her old nemesis, Golden Ace, finished best of all. Left in the lead over the last, the mount of Lorcan Williams strode clear for a nine-length stunner. Burdett Road second with 150/1 shot, Winter Fog, grabbing an improbable third. Happily, Constitution Hill, State Man, and their respective riders returned relatively unscathed.
And so, one of the most dramatic Champion Hurdles in living memory came to an end. A first win in the race for Jeremy Scott and Lorcan Williams and a second Cheltenham Festival victory for Golden Ace.
Runners
- 1. Burdett Road – SP: 66/1, Trainer: James Owen, Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies
- 2. Constitution Hill – SP: 1/2F, Trainer: Nicky Henderson, Jockey: Nico de Boinville
- 3. King Of Kingsfield – SP: 200/1, Trainer: Gordon Elliott, Jockey: Danny Gilligan
- 4. State Man – SP: 8/1, Trainer: Willie Mullins, Jockey: Paul Townend
- 5. Winter Fog – SP: 150/1, Trainer: Willie Mullins, Jockey: Brian Hayes
- 6. Brighterdaysahead – SP: 5/2, Trainer: Gordon Elliott, Jockey: Jack Kennedy
- 7. Golden Ace – SP: 25/1, Trainer: Jeremy Scott, Jockey: Lorcan Williams
Non-Runners
All Ran