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Golden Ace wins Fighting Fifth as Constitution Hill and The New Lion fall
By Andy Stephens
Last Updated: Sat 29 Nov 2025
Champion Hurdle heroine Golden Ace landed a dramatic renewal of the MGM Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle as Constitution Hill and The New Lion crashed out.
The Grade One feature was billed as a three-way clash between Constitution Hill, the 2023 Champion Hurdle hero, plus the unbeaten pair of The New Lion and Anzadam.
Racegoers cheered when Constitution Hill pinged the first flight in the lead under Nico De Boinville, following his shock falls at Cheltenham and Aintree in the spring.
However, more calamity loomed for the well-backed 6-4 favourite as he misjudged the second flight and again slithered to the turf.
Golden Ace leads Nemean Lion and Anzadam (focusonracing.com)
Racing fans were still digesting that disappointment when front-running The New Lion, who had briefly threatened to duck out at the fourth, fell two out when being pressed for the lead.
Both Constitution Hill and The New Lion galloped away unscathed.
Their departures looked to have left the way clear for Anzadam, sent off at 11-4, to prevail but Golden Ace, ridden by Lorcan Williams, was much too strong for him in the closing stages and took the honours by a length and a half at 22-1.
Nemean Lion, the outsider of the field, who had been supplemented earlier in the week, was just a neck further away in third.
Golden Ace had been beaten in a match at Wetherby last month, when scoping dirty, and was giving Jeremy Scott, her trainer, a first success since April.
The riderless Constitution Hill pings the final flight (focusonracing.com)
He said: “I’m glad everyone is up OK, who could believe Constitution Hill coming down again?
“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.”
He added: “We must be everybody’s nemesis! I’m just so glad after Wetherby as I could not get my head around it.
Sealed with a kiss: Golden Ace's groom shows her appreciation (focusonracing.com)
“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.”
Scott added: “Two Grade Ones now, that’s not bad. I think we’ll go for the International next before the Champion Hurdle.”
William Hill have cut Golden Ace to 12-1 to retain her crown, with Lossiemouth heading their market at 2-1. They make The New Lion 7-2 and have eased Constitution Hill to 10-1.
This weekend only!
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