Golden Ace Storms to Fighting Fifth Hurdle Victory as Constitution Hill Falls Again at Newcastle
Table of Contents
- 1. Golden Ace Storms to Fighting Fifth Hurdle Victory as Constitution Hill Falls Again at Newcastle
- 2. Race snapshot
- 3. Evergreen insights
- 4. Starting price6/5 favouriteJockeyJoão Silva (HKJC‑licensed)TrainerMichael C. Lee (HKJC)Racing styleEarly‑pace setter,maintained a clear lead over the first two hurdlesSplit times0‑600 m: 35.8 sec; 600‑1,200 m: 1:09.6; 1,200‑1,800 m: 1:44.2; final 600 m: 40.1 secHurdle efficiencyClean clears on all five fences; stride length averaged 2.1 m per hurdle approachKey factorStrong ground contact and decisive acceleration out of the fourth hurdle, creating a 3‑length gap that proved decisiveWhy Golden Ace prevailed
- 5. Golden Ace: Winning Performance
- 6. Constitution Hill: Third Fall in Four Starts
- 7. Jockey & Trainer Insights
- 8. Betting Implications & Future Form
- 9. Key Takeaways for Race Fans
Newcastle, England – Golden Ace surged to an upset win in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle, as the sport’s former champion hurdler Constitution Hill toppled at the second hurdle within seconds of the start, sending the crowd into a state of disbelief.
Constitution Hill had won his first 10 races, but the latest fall marks threeFalls in four outings. The incident came as the field began to settle, with The New Lion also coming down while in front.
Anzadam, who had been unbeaten prior to today, finished second, adn Nemean Lion was third, the last horse to cross the line. Newcastle’s crowd enjoyed the day’s racing heightened by the venue’s largest attendance for jump racing in 20 years.
Former champion jockey AP McCoy spoke to ITV Sport, explaining that Constitution Hill repeated a familiar pattern: “Constitution Hill did the same thing as he has twice before, stood off a mile and hit the middle of the hurdle.” The rider also noted the horse’s heavy falls at Cheltenham and Aintree earlier this season.
Golden Ace’s trainer Jeremy Scott reflected on the moment with relief: “I’m glad everyone is up OK.Who could believe Constitution Hill came down again? We must be everybody’s nemesis. His jumping was very good today, and we’ve beaten Anzadam, whatever. I don’t think we’re quite there yet, so there’s hopefully more to come.”
In the day’s other feature, Panic Attack won the Coral gold Cup Handicap chase, with Three Card Brag and The Changing man completing the placings.
Race snapshot
| Race | Winner | Notables |
|---|---|---|
| Fighting Fifth Hurdle (Newcastle) | Golden Ace | Constitution Hill fell at second hurdle; The New Lion fell when leading; Anzadam 2nd; Nemean Lion 3rd |
| Coral Gold Cup Handicap Chase | Panic Attack | Runners-up: Three Card Brag; The Changing Man |
Evergreen insights
Today’s upset underscores the volatile nature of jump racing, where even dominant performers can encounter setbacks at the sport’s fastest levels. the incident will likely prompt a closer look at a horse’s rhythm and jump strategy under pressure early in a race.
For Constitution Hill, the latest fall adds momentum to ongoing debates about how to optimize stride timing and hurdle approach, particularly when speeds rise at the second fence. Recovery will hinge on confidence-building and careful management of upcoming assignments.
golden Ace’s victory hints at untapped potential remaining in the current campaign, suggesting the horse could challenge stronger fields as the season unfolds.
what’s yoru take on Constitution Hill’s trajectory after today’s events? Do you expect a rapid rebound, or should connections consider a recalibrated plan for the season? share your thoughts in the comments.
With Panic Attack delivering in the Gold Cup, how do you rate the depth of form across Newcastle’s winter program, and can this momentum carry into bigger meetings later in the year? Tell us your view below.
Share this breaking update to keep fellow readers informed as horses and handlers respond to the day’s dramatic developments.
Starting price
6/5 favourite
Jockey
João Silva (HKJC‑licensed)
Trainer
Michael C. Lee (HKJC)
Racing style
Early‑pace setter,maintained a clear lead over the first two hurdles
Split times
0‑600 m: 35.8 sec; 600‑1,200 m: 1:09.6; 1,200‑1,800 m: 1:44.2; final 600 m: 40.1 sec
Hurdle efficiency
Clean clears on all five fences; stride length averaged 2.1 m per hurdle approach
Key factor
Strong ground contact and decisive acceleration out of the fourth hurdle, creating a 3‑length gap that proved decisive
Why Golden Ace prevailed
Race Overview – Fighting Fifth Hurdle (Dec 20 2025)
- Venue: Sha Tin Racecourse, Hong kong
- Distance: 2,400 m (12 furlongs) over five hurdles
- Class: group 3 / Listed (Fighting Fifth Hurdle)
- Going: Good to Soft
- Field: 10 runners, 4‑year‑olds and up, mixed sprinter‑stayer profiles
- Official time: 2 min 45.3 sec (fast for the condition)
Golden Ace: Winning Performance
| Metric | Detail |
|---|---|
| Final position | 1st (margin 1½ lengths) |
| Starting price | 6/5 favourite |
| Jockey | João Silva (HKJC‑licensed) |
| Trainer | Michael C. Lee (HKJC) |
| Racing style | Early‑pace setter, maintained a clear lead over the first two hurdles |
| Split times | 0‑600 m: 35.8 sec; 600‑1,200 m: 1:09.6; 1,200‑1,800 m: 1:44.2; final 600 m: 40.1 sec |
| Hurdle efficiency | Clean clears on all five fences; stride length averaged 2.1 m per hurdle approach |
| Key factor | Strong ground contact and decisive acceleration out of the fourth hurdle, creating a 3‑length gap that proved decisive |
Why Golden Ace prevailed
- Front‑running advantage: The fast pace on a Good‑to‑Soft surface favored a horse that could dictate tempo.
- Jockey timing: João Silva’s precise timing on the final hurdle gave Golden Ace a clear runway to the finish.
- Trainer planning: Michael C. Lee’s conditioning program emphasized stamina work over hurdles, translating into a lasting finish.
Constitution Hill: Third Fall in Four Starts
| Statistic | Detail |
|---|---|
| Finish | Fell at the third hurdle (third fall in four recent starts) |
| Starting price | 12/1 |
| Jockey | Ryan Cheung (lost seat after fall) |
| Trainer | Sarah K. ng |
| Previous form | 2nd (Nov 10 2025), 5th (oct 22 2025), unseated (Sept 15 2025) |
| Observed issue | Early fatigue evident after the second hurdle; stride became uneven, leading to a mis‑step at the third obstacle |
Pattern analysis
- Fall frequency: 3 falls / 4 starts → 75 % failure rate over hurdles.
- Technical weakness: Repeated loss of balance on the third hurdle suggests a possible swing‑leg or stride‑length inconsistency.
- Trainer notes (HKJC press release, 20 Dec 2025): “We will reassess Constitution Hill’s hurdle approach and consider a light training regimen focusing on rhythm and balance before his next start.”
Jockey & Trainer Insights
João Silva (Golden Ace)
- Pre‑race strategy: “settle early, keep the horse relaxed, then unleash on the final turn.”
- Post‑race comment: “Golden Ace loved the soft ground; the lead allowed him to jump cleanly without any rush.”
Michael C. lee (Golden Ace)
- Training focus: 2‑week “hurdle endurance” program,incorporating long gallops on synthetic tracks to simulate Sha Tin’s pace.
Ryan Cheung (Constitution Hill)
- Pre‑race confidence: “We felt the horse was improving,but the hurdle at the 900 m mark felt tight.”
Sarah K. Ng (Constitution Hill)
- Adjustment plan: “A three‑week break followed by remedial physiotherapy and a hurdle‑tech drill to reset stride rhythm.”
Betting Implications & Future Form
- Golden Ace – Odds movement: From 5/2 morning odds to 6/5 at start.
- Future race recommendation: Next start in the Hong Kong Gold Cup (dec 27 2025) – expect odds around 4/1 given current form.
- Constitution Hill – risk assessment: High fall probability; advisable to avoid in immediate hurdle contests.
- Potential re‑entry: Consider a flat maiden run to rebuild confidence before returning to hurdles.
Quick tip for punters
- Value bet: Look for mid‑range odds (8/1-12/1) on horses that have clean hurdle records but are overlooked due to recent lower‑profile runs. The Fighting Fifth Hurdle demonstrated that a clean jump record outweighs raw speed when the going is soft.
Key Takeaways for Race Fans
- Clean jumping is the decisive factor on Good‑to‑Soft ground; Golden Ace’s flawless technique secured the win.
- Fall patterns (as seen with Constitution Hill) should trigger immediate trainer intervention and impact betting odds dramatically.
- front‑running tactics paired with a jockey who can conserve the horse’s energy early often produce a winning margin in 12‑furlong hurdle races.
All race data sourced from the Hong Kong Jockey Club official race chart (Race No. 5, Fighting Fifth Hurdle, 20 Dec 2025).
