Golden Ace is a shock 25-1 winner of the Champion Hurdle after previous victors Constitution Hill and State Man fall.

Dramatic Champion Hurdle provides thrilling twist on opening day at Cheltenham - A day set for favourites was upended when Constitution Hill and State Man fell in the headline race

Golden Ace ran out the winner of the 2025 Unibet Champion Hurdle at odds of 25/1 after a dramatic race saw Constitution Hill and State Man fall; also on the opening day at Cheltenham, Rich Riccis deci

Follow live BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra commentary and text updates from Champion Day at the Cheltenham Festival 2025.

Golden Ace was a surprise winner of the Champion Hurdle on the opening day of the Cheltenham Festival, taking full advantage of the chaos at the front of the field. 2023 champion Constitution Hill returned to attempt to regain his crown and was an odds-on favourite heading into his race, with Brighterdaysahead expected to be the chief challenger.

Outside shot Golden Ace wins a chaotic Champion Hurdle as leading contenders Constitution Hill and State Man both fall

Constitution Hill has become "a bit sloppy" according to owner Michael Buckley, who hopes to see his superstar performer more focused when returning to action at the Punchestown festival.

Constitution Hill was back in the race it won in 2023, but after missing the chance to reclaim the crown in 2024, the Nicky Henderson trained horse was back at Cheltenham

Golden Ace was the shock winner in a dramatic Champion Hurdle, the feature race of the first day of the Cheltenham Festival on Tuesday, after both the previous winners Constitution Hill and State Man fell.