Golden Ace pushed on to take victory in a dramatic extra-time of the BetMGM Fighting Fifth Hurdle in Newcastle as both Constitution Hill and The New Lion went down.
The Nicky Henderson-trained Constitution Hill was the 6-4 favorite as he looked to get his career back on track after a disappointing end to last season, with Nico de Boinville in the saddle for a confident team after a pleasant gallop around the racecourse.
However, a nice jump on the first was followed by a familiar scene on the second, when Constitution Hill misjudged his stride and hit the deck before The New Lion then did the same on the penultimate flight after taking over.
It was Golden Ace who had to pick up the pieces as she was in the Champion Hurdle last season, and after brushing aside Anzadam and Nemean Lion she found success under Lorcan Williams at 22-1.
“I’m glad everyone is okay again, who can believe Constitution Hill is coming down again?” said Scott.
“She ran a brilliant race, I’m so happy we got her back from Wetherby (beaten in a listed race early this month). We were really stunned because I thought we had her so good at the time.
“We were beaten almost a mile from home and when we got her back and examined her we found she had a bit of phlegm so I think that was why, it was a bit of a shock.
“We observed her again on Tuesday and there was nothing. We changed the way we brought her up and slept there. I don’t know if the traveling was stressing her out, but she was good today.”
Scott continued: “We have to be everyone’s nemesis! I’m just so happy after Wetherby because I couldn’t get my head around it.”
“Her jumping was very good today and we beat Anzadam anyway. I still don’t think we’re quite there, so hopefully there’s more to come.
“I couldn’t think of 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 reduced from 25s to 14-1 by Paddy Power for the defense of her Champion Hurdle title in March, with Lossiemouth 7-4 favorites and The New Lion next best at 9-2. Constitution Hill now has 10-1 odds with the same company.
Scott added: “Two Grade Ones now, that’s not bad. I think we’ll go for the International next, before the Champion Hurdle.”
Williams paid tribute to Scott and his team in their efforts to get the mare back into top form for the assignment.
He said, “I was aware of Constitution Hill early on. I jumped wide because she prefers to go a little to the right when she jumps and every time Constitution Hill hits the deck he always falls to the right.
“I thought if he made an early mistake I would come out on the straight and when he did (fell) I was lucky to be out of the way.
“Harry (Skelton from The New Lion) really went ahead by jumping down last, which I knew, but I was running the course and I knew how far from home that was.
“She was a very different mare to Wetherby so fair play to Jeremy Scott for getting her back to where she was. She jumped fantastic and in all fairness Paul (Townend at Anzadam) probably helped to join us and push us to the line.
“I’m just very happy.
“She’s the standard bearer for us at the moment, she wasn’t herself at Wetherby, so it’s a fantastic training achievement from the team at home to get her back into this form.”
#Golden #Ace #triumphs #dramatic #Fighting #Hurdle #Races