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00:01Jump racing in three words.
00:03Fast.
00:05Fierce.
00:07Relentless.
00:08And they're off and racing.
00:10There's electricity in the air.
00:12Everybody is a rival.
00:14It's like playing chess.
00:17That was miles an hour.
00:19You're waiting for the right moment to pound.
00:21There's only one certainty that you won't get it right every time.
00:26Oh, no!
00:28Injury is part of our job.
00:31You're one ride away from being paralysed.
00:36You get a fall, you still want to ride in the next race.
00:40Last season, we had a trainers' title that went right down to the final day.
00:43Oh, God!
00:45That is so, so close.
00:47This season, we're set for the most extraordinary, unpredictable drama.
00:51That is insane!
00:53The David Power Jockeys' Cup is the most valuable jockey's challenge
00:57in the world.
00:58Half a million pounds to the winner.
01:00It's going to be very hard to win.
01:02Those lads are so hungry for it.
01:06Expect surprises.
01:08And now the conclusion of the Red National.
01:11A clash of the titans.
01:12Mind games have started.
01:14I'm ready!
01:15We all get a bit emotional.
01:17It's highly charged stuff.
01:18The competition is going to be hotter than ever.
01:21One of these racing, anything can happen.
01:23I'm going to turn it right up.
01:24I'm going to turn it right up.
01:41This is where it matters.
01:42The Cheltenham Festival is where legends are made.
01:51The Cheltenham Festival.
01:52The biggest four days of our calendar year.
01:55This week is put on a pedestal above all others.
01:59It is the pinnacle of the sport.
02:01It can define your season.
02:03It is a big, big deal.
02:05Cheltenham is where everything happens.
02:11Cheltenham Roar is 70,000 people.
02:15Sends a funny sensation up your spine.
02:19It's probably the biggest crowd we face in the whole year.
02:26How we doing?
02:27It's an atmosphere that no other meeting really experiences.
02:34Have a lovely day and I hope you get some winners.
02:37There is a massive prize put on offer.
02:40It's where dreams can be made and hearts can be broken.
02:47Racing post, all the colours and form.
02:53Right, what were we saying? Black ones for the first?
02:54Yeah, black all day.
02:55Black all day.
02:56They want everybody on the steps in three minutes.
02:59You can help.
03:02Would jockeys please come outside and do applause for the memory of Michael O'Sullivan?
03:09We're all going out, minutes of applause for Mikey.
03:12Go on then, boys.
03:16Such an emotional start to the meeting this year here at Cheltenham.
03:20As we remember Michael O'Sullivan who tragically lost his life at the age of 24 following a fall in Ireland last month.
03:33We spent a lot of time with Mike.
03:34He was a good friend, a good character.
03:37Some of Michael's family here too.
03:40They remain in all our thoughts.
03:43Ladies and gentlemen, please join us as we are available to be able to achieve this all the time.
03:50Unfortunately, he's no longer with us.
03:52It's a harsh reality check that this can happen.
03:57With a huge round of applause for Michael O'Sullivan.
04:01We all know how dangerous it is.
04:07You're followed around by two ambulances all the time.
04:11It's naive to think it won't be you, but if you start believing that it could be, you're not going to do your job properly.
04:19You can't. You can't commit to it.
04:21We remember a young man taken far too soon.
04:29Mike O'Sullivan, he was a close colleague to all of us.
04:32He rode a lot in the UK as well and it does ram it home to us all.
04:36You have to take it seriously.
04:46Who's ready for school?
04:47Me.
04:49What am I doing?
04:51Racing.
04:52And will I be back tonight?
04:54Is he always back at night?
04:56Yes.
04:58The sport of jump racing is a very dangerous way to make a living.
05:01He might be back a bit late tonight.
05:03A bit late tonight.
05:05You're always just one ride away from being paralysed.
05:07You're worse than that.
05:11Here, pass me your plate.
05:14The risk is just part and parcel of it and it doesn't put you off because you always believe that a snake is a snake.
05:19You always believe that it's never going to be you.
05:22Are you going to watch Daddy racing at challenge?
05:26I'd like to watch Daddy.
05:28Well, you can watch him on TV for sure.
05:30With too many people?
05:31Lots of people.
05:33I wish at the start of my career I had a bit more patience.
05:37I wanted to run before I could walk.
05:40Right team, are you ready?
05:42I might never be late.
05:43Let's go.
05:45As you head on into your mid-30s, you definitely realise that you're in the home stretch of your career.
05:52It is like a pyramid.
05:53You start out with so many people of your age and you're all trying to make it and the further you go up the pyramid, people start to fall by the wayside.
06:03And I feel just very fortunate that I'm still going.
06:07The window of these opportunities is very, very small and you've just got to try and make the most of every single day whilst you're in this sport.
06:15The champion hurdle is a race that I'm focused on this year at Cheltenham and I'd love to win it.
06:26The first big feature race is the most prestigious hurdling event in the national hunt calendar.
06:32On the old course at Cheltenham here, they'll go quick.
06:36They've got to jump well.
06:37It's always a thrilling race.
06:40So the champion hurdle is fast and furious.
06:42They've got to go two miles, jump eight hurdles and the winner takes home 250 grand.
06:48Once that's on a jockey's CV, you've earned your spot amongst all the greats of racing.
06:54It's enormous.
06:56That's why the crowd is there.
06:58To us, the champion hurdle has been the objective from the very beginning of the season.
07:04I'd love to win the champion hurdle again, not just for myself, but for the governor.
07:09Nico de Voiville is extraordinary.
07:12She's already won a champion hurdle, but does he want to win another one?
07:15Absolutely.
07:17There's nothing he wants more right now than to bag another champion hurdle with the maestro that's Nicky Henderson.
07:24They say greatness requires longevity.
07:29Nicky Henderson won his first champion hurdle 40 years ago today, and he's won another eight since then.
07:36The big races are really what everybody wants to win.
07:46And Monocular and Tony McCoy win the champion hurdle.
07:51It's terrific, that's what it's all about. Winning is the name of the game.
07:56Ipperton shakes the champion hurdle, and it's a record-breaking festival success for Nicky Henderson.
08:03Wonderful. We've been very, very lucky.
08:05Right. The girls are here. Hiya, girls!
08:11Good day. Are you all right?
08:13You all right? Yeah.
08:14You're 14. You're 14.
08:16How are you? You OK? Hi.
08:18Is this your 47th season?
08:21We started in 78, so it must be...
08:24What?
08:25Hello. Hi. How are you? How are you?
08:30I'm very well. How are you?
08:31Good to see you. Good, thank you.
08:34I can see you.
08:35The old eyes aren't what they used to be.
08:38Well, it's been a bit up to down.
08:40It's called macular degeneration.
08:42It's not so much a disease, it's just a situation that deteriorates.
08:48Suddenly you realise you're not...
08:51It's not as good as it was, and we are where we are.
08:56How are your eyes doing?
08:58On the other end.
08:59They're not very good, but they're...
09:00Just keep, just try and keep them the best you can do.
09:01One eye open, yeah.
09:03The worst part of it.
09:04People's faces are all a blur.
09:07And people think I'm being very rude.
09:09And I'm not. I just can't tell you who you are.
09:11I can't see...
09:12Somebody said you've got to look.
09:13You know I can't.
09:14I know you can't.
09:15Nicky's eyesight has been there in the background.
09:18It doesn't seem to be affecting his ability to train winners.
09:22If anything, he certainly doesn't miss a trick.
09:23Good afternoon, sir. How are you?
09:25Yeah, just terrific.
09:29People might be saying enough's enough for him,
09:31and he'll probably go into honourable retirement.
09:34Good luck, old boy.
09:36I only can't see Constitution.
09:38Any reason I'm here. Good luck.
09:39Good luck.
09:40But I'll keep going as long as...
09:42Yeah, as long as we're healthy and fit, we love it.
09:46And I'm not going to retire when you've got the horses
09:48like we have at the moment.
09:51Constitution Hill has got such a good head on him.
09:55And I don't mean it's a beautiful head,
09:56it's just what's inside it works so well.
09:59Very, very special horse.
10:01Constitution Hill is one of the greats of British racing.
10:04He's unbeaten.
10:06He's almost infallible.
10:09State man chasing his shadow,
10:12and it's Constitution Hill,
10:14one of the hurdling greats,
10:16which the champion hurling around.
10:18Simply breathtaking.
10:20When it comes to the champion hurdle,
10:23you're just praying that Constitution Hill
10:25is going to be right.
10:37He's geared up, isn't he?
10:39Oh, yes, my boy.
10:42As usual with Nicky,
10:44he's got every single base covered.
10:45He knows how to get a horse to peak at Cheltenham.
10:49It's a brave shout to take Constitution Hill back to Kempton
10:53to work in public in front of everyone.
10:55It's important to get him here
10:57and get him thinking that he's having a race.
10:59And he knows that he's about to do something a bit serious.
11:02We're doing the same as we did the year before.
11:06Such a difference from last year.
11:08We were all standing around with our motor.
11:10I know, yeah, yeah.
11:11Last year was an absolute disaster.
11:12But that's where we realised we had a big problem.
11:16Last year, everything went wrong.
11:19He was sick and we couldn't run in the champion hurdle.
11:23The parties took place without us.
11:26So we had to start building Constitution Hill back up again.
11:31And thank goodness we did.
11:34And Constitution Hill will land a third Christmas hurdle.
11:38Always going astride better.
11:39Nick and Des Moinesville for Michael Buckley and Nicky Henderson.
11:45Yeah, the Christmas hurdle was his comeback.
11:48It was a big stepping stone.
11:51And he came through that absolutely perfectly.
11:54Well done.
11:56We won't really know if we've got the real Constitution Hill back
12:00till we see him in the champion hurdle.
12:03Yes, he's had some good prep runs.
12:05He's looked as good as ever.
12:07But this is the ultimate test.
12:09OK, let's go.
12:10All right.
12:14It's conditioned.
12:16There's still a lot to do.
12:18You're hoping and praying that everything goes right.
12:20Governor, are we all right then?
12:21Yeah, let's go.
12:23Keep it cool.
12:25He needs to be going to Cheltenham in the very best condition.
12:32We just need to know,
12:34is Constitution Hill ready for the champion hurdle?
12:38We're away.
12:39Here we are again.
12:43Three hundred and sixty-five days later.
12:50It's raining like greyhounds down the inside, are they?
12:53Oh, God, don't do this.
12:57You know, we're going to start another catastrophe.
13:00What?
13:02More than a year ago.
13:0324.
13:13You'll be OK.
13:15Top job, thank you very much.
13:16Is that right?
13:18That'll do.
13:20All OK.
13:22Fantastic.
13:24He's ready.
13:26Constitution Hill is coming into this race in great form.
13:29He's just where we want him,
13:30and we're prepared and ready to go.
13:33The big players getting ready for the Unibet champion hurdle.
13:46It's the match-up we've wanted.
13:48It's Great Britain against Ireland.
13:50Hall Townend against Nico de Boyneville.
13:53Are you looking ripped, mate?
13:55I actually am.
13:57You actually are.
13:58What did you say?
13:59He did say you look like a corpse.
14:00Fuck off.
14:02I'm rude.
14:04I bet Townend's got a bigger beer belly than me.
14:06This year for the champion hurdle,
14:08there's the English team.
14:10Nicky Henderson trains Constitution Hill,
14:12be ridden by Nico de Boyneville.
14:14And on the other side of the fence,
14:15you have the Irish team.
14:17Willie Mullins, Paul Townend, and State Man.
14:20Yeah.
14:21It's all competitive, and we want to beat each other as much as possible.
14:26Paul Townend has had an extraordinary career, particularly last year,
14:32where he did absolutely everything right.
14:34He won the Gold Cup, the King George, he won the Grand National, big races that every jockey dreams of winning.
14:47And State Man finds a little so, Paul Townend lands the race finally for Willie Mullins in the champion hurdle.
14:52He won the last champion hurdle in 2024 with State Man for Willie Mullins.
14:57Thank you very much.
15:00And with 34 Cheltenham winners, he's the most successful current jockey at the Cheltenham Festival.
15:06He's made Cheltenham his own.
15:08And he is an absolute superstar in Ireland.
15:21We're here to do Ireland AM.
15:23There seems to be a lot more press coming now.
15:26Success brings that, so it means you're doing well.
15:29But it's very different to what I do every day.
15:36I'll give you a seat here.
15:39And I'll just swing you in then.
15:42You allocate enough time for this now?
15:45Oh yeah, we have a good solid half hour.
15:48I won't lie, a bit uneasy about going into the studio.
15:52OK.
15:54It's out of my comfort zone.
15:56Yeah.
15:57So hopefully we don't forget how to speak.
16:01This is all happening because last year was my most successful year.
16:05Could I get a little set?
16:06Of course.
16:07Sorry.
16:08Do you mind?
16:09No hassle at all.
16:11I knew there was going to be a lot of eyes on me.
16:14The media, tension and extra pressure.
16:17Thank you very much.
16:18Paul, ready to go?
16:19Yeah.
16:20Yeah.
16:23Coming back, staying on camera three.
16:25Champion jockey Paul Townen recently stormed a victory in the Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown for the third year running.
16:31He's now preparing for Cheltenham next month and he's here with us now.
16:34Good morning to you.
16:35Morning.
16:36Do you think about being the most successful?
16:38I try not to, no.
16:39There's enough going through my head without trying to think about that as well.
16:42Yeah.
16:43When you're having success, there is huge expectation.
16:46It's all about winning.
16:48Like second is no good.
16:49Willie Mullins has been so successful for such a long time.
16:52There must be a lot of vying between the different jockeys.
16:56Paul is Willie's number one jockey.
16:59So he's got the most pressure on every day.
17:02He's supposed to win every race.
17:04He hasn't got rid of me yet, so.
17:06He wouldn't want to get rid of you, my God.
17:08See that in Willie's yard, the talent of riders he has.
17:12There's more pressure on you.
17:14You have to perform.
17:19When the weather is like this, we try to get them out as much as we can.
17:27Get blood circulation going.
17:30Willie Mullins is the most successful Irish jumps trainer of all time.
17:35He has a colossal yard with over 200 horses and over 100 staff
17:41that ensure that no stone is left unturned.
17:44He's a detail man.
17:46Brushing a horse is very important to do it right.
17:49Most people think it's to keep them clean, but it's actually a massage.
17:53So they're like any athletes.
17:55They just get every part of their body checked over.
17:58So between back people, muscle people, everything is looked after.
18:04Not sore or anything.
18:06The detail is in everything.
18:09And that is all focused on the end aim, which is to get horses at the races in peak condition.
18:15Willie Mullins is the king of Cheltenham, not just by reputation, but by statistics.
18:26Willie Mullins, 100 won out of the Cheltenham Festival.
18:29He has over 100 winners at the festival.
18:33He is quite literally the leading trainer of all time.
18:36I don't know how to feel because it's not something anyone ever dreamt of, that anyone would ever have 100 winners.
18:41Just walk about four strides and then trot.
18:46I'm always fascinated that people say to me, well, Willie, this year there's going to be 6, 8, 10 or 12 winners.
18:54But we take nothing for granted.
18:56Who knows what could happen?
18:58Beautiful.
18:59He's a nice target for him.
19:03Willie Mullins has won the champion hurdle an incredible five times.
19:07And he totally believes he's got the right horse to win again.
19:11State man.
19:13How is this fellow here?
19:15Are you happy with him?
19:17Yeah, I am.
19:19He's such a dude and just, he doesn't really get very wound up or anything, but...
19:24People think that he was a lucky champion hurdle winner, but State man has everything. I think he's very underrated.
19:31He says, finally, everyone's looking at me. You're loving it, don't you?
19:35There's a sort of underlying current that maybe State man only won the champion hurdle in 2024 because Constitution Hill didn't take part.
19:44So, there is definitely a point to prove from Willie Mullins' point of view.
19:49And that undoubtedly adds spice to this race.
19:54The countdown is on to the champion hurdle.
19:59Oh, great sense of dissipation.
20:05Good chance, yeah.
20:08In the champion hurdle, all eyes are on Constitution Hill and State man.
20:13State man, yeah.
20:15But also in the line-up are two horses from Ireland's second biggest trainer, Gordon Elliott.
20:18Brighter days ahead is quite fancied, and also King of Kingsfield, who's really expected to be a pace-setter.
20:26Another mayor we have is Golden Ace.
20:29So?
20:30Taking on the big guns.
20:31And very much making up the numbers is Golden Ace.
20:36Golden Ace is not one that I think the main protagonists are really worried about.
20:42That would be a massive day for Jeremy Scott.
20:44You know, it's well documented we've had a very, very tough season.
20:48Horses haven't been right.
20:49If you're not getting the winners, it's quite hard to pick yourself up every day.
20:54The trainer, Jeremy Scott, very rarely gets the opportunity in a Grade 1 at the Cheltenham Festival.
21:00This is humongous for him.
21:18Cup of tea.
21:20Now I feel like Mary Bloody Barrett.
21:22We've been training horses over 20 years now.
21:32You can't let go, aren't you?
21:35But in terms of rankings of trainers, we were probably on the lower end of the spectrum.
21:42And we've always had a lot going on running an active farm.
21:46But we do need two incomes coming in.
21:51Because financially, being a trainer is probably one of the hardest things you could possibly do.
22:00I've come as close to giving this up as I've ever been.
22:04Because it has been really, really hard work.
22:07You spend 90% of your time losing.
22:11And we are running against Nicky Henderson, Willie Mullins.
22:14They're giants of the sport now, and they've got such firepower behind them.
22:19But we only train about 35 horses.
22:23And Golden Aces is the only horse I've got really good enough to run Cheltenham.
22:29Golden Aces owner, Ian Gosden, only paid £12,000 for her.
22:34Constitution Hill cost about ten times that.
22:38So there's no doubt the champion hurdle is the biggest race of her career.
22:42We've had a bit of a trough this year.
22:46We could do with some light at the end of the tunnel.
22:49So hopefully my jockey can help give us a real boost to our season.
22:53I've got to leave half-six in the morning, all right?
23:00Have you got that the right way now?
23:03Yes. I haven't made the bed before.
23:05Well, I thought you might have made it for me, actually.
23:07Are you going to come to Cheltenham then?
23:11Yeah, of course I am, and your father.
23:13I'm close with Mum.
23:15That's it.
23:17She comes to the races and watches and Dad as well.
23:19To think of you in the South Pemps Pony Club and all that pony racing.
23:24Took everything in your stride, didn't you?
23:26Today's best turned out number 21, Little Orchid, written by Lorcan Williams.
23:35I can't remember not wanting to be a jockey, really.
23:38To be honest, Lorcan, you were quite naughty.
23:41You just didn't like school, did you?
23:43Sitting in the classroom, no, I didn't enjoy that, no.
23:46The terminal.
23:47My love for the racing was always about the adrenaline rush, the speed, and the route I always wanted to go down.
23:54Well done, you?
23:55You.
23:58Lorcan Williams is a young Welsh jockey, and relative to the likes of Nico de Boyneville and Paul Townland,
24:05he won't show up in as many big festivals throughout the year, so this is a massive moment for him.
24:14Right.
24:15Ready for rock, I think.
24:18To get a ride in that champion hurdle, the biggest hurdle race, it's like a childhood dream, really.
24:24All right, you got to have you?
24:26Yeah, you?
24:27Yeah.
24:31Tell me you can be at Jeremy's.
24:35I'm riding for Jeremy Scott at the moment.
24:38But before myself and Jeremy started off together, I was riding for Paul Nichols for ten years.
24:45If it wasn't for Paul, I wouldn't be riding these horses.
24:48Left school early, went there.
24:50It's another one for the champion trainer, this time, Lorcan Williams.
24:55Loved every single moment of it.
24:57But then, there was just different circumstances, I suppose.
25:05Lorcan Williams was 14 times champion trainer Paul Nichols for pretty much his whole career.
25:10And that can be a really, really competitive environment to be in.
25:14You're always having to prove yourself versus the other jockeys in that yard.
25:20And he was never top dog there.
25:23Harry Cobb done his number one.
25:26And there was Bryony before his number two.
25:27And this year, Fred has sort of come on the scene another.
25:30So Lorcan spread his wings a little bit.
25:33Maybe I was just stood in his way.
25:36I don't know.
25:38There can only be one striker, can't there?
25:41Awesome, mate. Well done, you.
25:42Let's get a picture.
25:43Maybe because I was horse number one.
25:46There wasn't really room for him to go on and achieve what he probably wanted to.
25:53It's difficult because you're putting so much hard work and passion and everything.
26:00And it's just not quite happening.
26:04It's hard to pick yourself up again, but you have to.
26:07So now is the time to push myself.
26:12Rowing for new trainers like Jeremy Scott.
26:16Do something a bit different and maybe succeed a little bit more.
26:21Hopefully.
26:25This is a massive opportunity for Lorcan to show racing what he can do.
26:31This may well be the only ride in a champion hurdle that he gets in his career.
26:35OK.
26:37All right, see that.
26:38Yeah, no problem.
26:41So the last thing you want to do is mess it up on the bigger stage.
26:52That was good.
26:53You, little bugger.
26:56Good acey.
26:58Golden ace was quite a buzzy horse.
26:59And I think Lorcan's managed to keep a lid on that and calm her down.
27:03And I think they've now got a wonderful relationship.
27:06Yeah, good.
27:08She's happy.
27:09What's the name?
27:10Not great on her own, is she?
27:11Oh, no.
27:13From the get-go, me and Jeremy just got on so well.
27:16Trust him, he trusts me.
27:18Try and make it look good.
27:20Hey.
27:22Yeah.
27:24Lorcan's no different to a young horse.
27:26He needs a bit of training sometimes.
27:32I want to do well in a champion hurdle for Jeremy.
27:36Feel all right?
27:37Oh, way better.
27:38I'm very happy.
27:40He's always so good to me and you want to repay that.
27:47Realistically, we haven't got a cat in hell's chance of winning that race.
27:52So we're going for prize money and we're hoping we can sneak a place.
27:56I think the best we can expect is third or fourth.
28:00Finishing third in the champion hurdle is a £50,000 prize fund.
28:06Then for a small yard like Jeremy Scott,
28:09that is the difference between having a surviving season and a terrible season.
28:14It's champion hurdle day you're here at Cheltenham.
28:27Can I get a photo?
28:29Thank you so much.
28:32Have you ever seen so many cameras in your life?
28:36A very old crowd around here too.
28:39Well, I just found myself sitting next to Lorcan Williams' mother.
28:41What's it like being a jockey's mum on Cheltenham, champion hurdle day?
28:45It's quite cool.
28:47Cool? Yeah.
28:49Lorcan Williams, looking for his first grade one.
28:53He's an outsider in the champion hurdle.
28:56I like being the underdog.
28:58Let's go give it a go.
29:00How much do you know about Lorcan Williams?
29:02Not a lot.
29:06What do you know about Lorcan Williams? A good jockey?
29:08I don't know much about Lorcan Williams.
29:12Yes, sir.
29:14Twenty-two.
29:16Twenty-two.
29:18The morning of the race, the bookies have priced up Golden Ace a hundred to one.
29:22They are giving Golden Ace no chance.
29:26We're probably not good enough to win it, but you never say never, do you?
29:29I mean, a race is a funny old thing. All sorts of things can happen.
29:37Almost time for the big one.
29:38The most prestigious hurdling event in the national hunt calendar. The champion hurdle starting shortly.
29:48All eyes will be on Constitution Hill, the biggest name in the sport.
29:54As he looks to win the champion hurdle for a second time and extend his astonishing unbeaten run to 11th.
30:01Hello, my old friend.
30:05Have you been here before?
30:07Yeah.
30:09Once you start saddling, you start to realise that everything you've spent a year planning for is about to happen.
30:15It's such a relief to have him back at the Bichon Festival.
30:19Obviously, the feeling before the race last year, you have such a loss without him.
30:23Not too tight.
30:25There's a huge amount of press from Constitution Hill because these horses are household names and it's what people love.
30:34The pressure comes with that.
30:36Well done.
30:37Away you go.
30:38Well done, Jane. Thank you.
30:42Here we are.
30:43All good.
30:44He's trying to do it back to back, yeah.
30:46He's in good shape.
30:49It's not going to be easy for Constitution Hill.
30:51He's going up against Stateman, who won the champion hurdle last year.
30:56This is Stateman. He is here to retain his crown.
31:00He's the last one we've got to have a look at.
31:04Constitution Hill won the Christmas hurdle, but just barely.
31:08He didn't impress me and he certainly didn't sparkle.
31:14He's beatable if that's his best.
31:16Time now to welcome out our big race jockeys.
31:19Yeah.
31:22Go on, be out to look.
31:24Jockeys out, please.
31:26Champion hurdle next, let's see how we get on.
31:28It's a big competitive race.
31:31A lot of big names have turned up.
31:32So, Stateman's going to have to bring his egg in.
31:36The pressure's definitely on.
31:38And there's an awful lot riding on this.
31:40But it's whether you let it get to you.
31:45Looking to regain his crown.
31:48Go, Boyville.
31:50The champion hurdle is a bit like the World Cup.
31:53And you're coming up against the best of the best.
31:57Like, Constitution Hill's probably your Cristiano Ronaldo.
32:00And Stateman's your Messi.
32:02And just being a part of it is amazing.
32:07To win the champion hurdle, I mean, it'd just be mega, wouldn't it?
32:10But it's just more hope than expectation.
32:14Don't get suckered into a fight early on, would it?
32:16Like, second fiddle.
32:20Nico and Paul know each other's horses well.
32:23So, it'll be a very tactical affair from the start.
32:27How long will you wait?
32:28Depends what pace we're going.
32:29Yeah.
32:36We're ready for action.
32:38But we're in Nico's hands now.
32:42You are in for a blockbuster.
32:44This is going to be one hell of a race.
32:46What a day.
32:47What a first day.
32:48Fantastic.
32:56They're sent on their way.
32:58We're off and running now.
33:00Straight away, King of Kingsville moves to the lead.
33:03Adopting these pacemaking tactics.
33:05Constitution Hill is in third.
33:08Constitution Hill has got speed and stamina.
33:10So, having the pacemaker in there doesn't really influence me at all.
33:14There's a good gallop on and it seems to be suiting as well.
33:18But there's a long way to go.
33:20Last year's champion hurdle winner, State Man, is going along nicely with Golden Ace for company on the outside.
33:25We're in a nice rhythm and a good position.
33:29Beside the two best horses in the race.
33:32King of Kingsville, two legs back to Constitution Hill, then Golden Ace, then State Man.
33:38What a roar as they take the bed out of the home straight.
33:41There's been a lovely cheer as they've gone past the stand.
33:45Puts goose bumps up on your neck, doesn't it?
33:48State Man just keeping an eye on his main rival, Constitution Hill.
33:52Paul told me he was going to try and fall on Nico.
33:56He can't get too far away.
34:01Golden Ace in fourth place, holding her place okay with State Man in third place, Constitution Hill.
34:07His jumping looks slick.
34:11He's in the right place where we want it to be.
34:14They're all still in close enough attendance, just at even pace.
34:19We probably haven't gone as fast early as I expected us to go.
34:23But my horse is travelling.
34:26He's on a going day.
34:28Out in front, King of Kingsville leads brighter days ahead.
34:32Then it is Constitution Hill, Golden Ace, then State Man.
34:36On the approach to the halfway point, I'm very happy where Constitution Hill is in the race.
34:41Things are going swimmingly.
34:43Constitution Hill in third place, then Golden Ace and State Man.
34:51Constitution Hill won!
34:53Oh no! Constitution Hill is out!
34:58It happened very, very fast.
35:01Just like, bang.
35:02And I was rolling around on the floor, being kicked to hell.
35:06Is he all right?
35:08Yes, sir.
35:09He's counting on him.
35:11Constitutionally, I can see he's okay.
35:14As I pick myself up from the floor, I am starting to process things.
35:19I'm shocked.
35:21I'm gutted.
35:23Because he has been so solid in his jumping in the past.
35:26He's watching a horse in front of him.
35:29And when that comes up, he wants to come too.
35:32But he's too far away from it.
35:33He just got it wrong, and now the race is falling apart.
35:39And the fact that he's gone and fallen like that, on perhaps the biggest stage of all,
35:43was just absolutely gut-wrenching for everyone.
35:45That was a year's dream, and all of a sudden it's shattered in one split second.
36:01Come on, Paul! Come on, Paul!
36:04Constitution Hill going down is a big shock.
36:07I don't believe it.
36:08But that blows the race wide open, and we have a big chance then.
36:24Constitution Hill with a crashing fall.
36:27Drama. Constitution Hill is out of the race.
36:31There was always a fear that that could happen.
36:34It was a scary moment.
36:35Constitution Hill, he's landed in between our legs.
36:40And Ace has done well not to come down.
36:43But our momentum has decreased at a bit of a crucial point.
36:48The best we're looking at here is third, because I think we're going to struggle to get past those guys now.
36:55King of Cleavingsfield leading. Right a day is ahead.
36:58And they're moving pretty swiftly.
37:01It's right our days ahead, and our pacemaker ahead of us.
37:03And that's where the target is now.
37:06But I have to get a little bit closer.
37:08King of Kingsfield, job done, begins to fade away.
37:11Bright a day is ahead, takes it up.
37:14And State Man and Golden Ace are the two that are chasing the leader.
37:19Come on, come on, State Man. Come on, Paul! Come on!
37:22Constitution here, bowling, it's disappointing for Nicky.
37:25But it's fantastic for me.
37:28Bright a day is ahead, now being challenged by State Man. Could he defend his ground?
37:34State Man travelling up strongly.
37:37Off the final thing, State Man on the outside of Bright a day is ahead, and quickening away.
37:43We're left in front, and the champion hurdle looks to be ours.
37:48He's drawn well clear of us. State Man's going to win.
37:52Bright a day is ahead as race is run. Golden Ace is trying to pick up.
37:56Closing on Bright a day is ahead, we can finish second here.
38:00The reigning champion, State Man, up towards the last.
38:03We have the race won, everything is sewn up. Just got to jump the last hurdle.
38:09State Man is down!
38:13Oh my word, what a race!
38:16That is insane!
38:20Like, what just happened there?
38:23If I've given my horse mixed signals, I wouldn't be able to deal with that.
38:28But I've stuck to the plan. I've committed him. He takes off.
38:31And he just didn't get high enough.
38:35He catches the top of it with both front legs and both hind legs.
38:42And then wiped out.
38:45State Man, I can see galloping past, which is good news.
38:49I'm sore, but everyone's okay.
38:51And then the long, lonely walk back up through the crowd.
38:58It's heartbreaking.
38:59I've never dreamt in a million years that he would fall at the last.
39:07That's it, that's the way it is.
39:10Oh no! State Man is down!
39:13When State Man comes down, Ace does so well to sidestep and get away from State Man.
39:25Thank God Lorcan has the foresight to swerve in.
39:27It's a brilliant piece of horsemanship.
39:31Real drama! Because it's Golden Ace who is coming out of the pack!
39:36And I can't quite believe that we're left in front in the champion here.
39:40Remarkable! Real drama and extraordinary moment!
39:45And all I think is, Jesus, get to this line.
39:50Golden Ace has been left in front!
39:56But Ace starts to pick up.
39:59And as the lines get never so close, it's just a sense of disbelief.
40:02Take a bow! Lorcan Williams, Jeremy Scott, an infinite punch! Champion Hurdle goes to Golden Ace!
40:12No way! What on earth is going on?
40:16Golden Ace has surprised absolutely everyone!
40:20To win a champion here though, it's almost like a dream.
40:31It's a highlight of my career.
40:33And Golden Ace made that dream come true.
40:38Absolutely buzzing.
40:42It took him a while to realise he'd actually won it.
40:46It was just like a fairy tale.
40:47I'm very, very proud of him.
40:50It's brilliant for Jeremy and Ian Gosden, the owner.
40:54Are you dead with your name?
40:56Our day won't forget anyhow.
41:01The scenes here are unprecedented!
41:05Winning the champion hurdle, I mean, it is just absolutely incredible.
41:09I cannot believe it. Extraordinary.
41:12And the people have loved it!
41:13Yeah!
41:16It is lovely that people suddenly want to share the joy of winning a race like that, cheering for you.
41:22Oh, Jeremy Scott! Oh, Jeremy Scott!
41:27Oh, Jeremy Scott!
41:30I mean, it's special. It's really special.
41:32That really has been the most dramatic champion hurdle I will ever remember.
41:41Ever, ever seen.
41:43Golden Ace winning the champion hurdle was nuts.
41:47We've had such a tough season and everybody's worked so damn hard to get to where we are.
41:53And for the team at home and my family, it's just so important.
41:58You know, it really is, because it's what keeps you going.
42:00And it's wonderful that sport can just deliver something on a really special day like today.
42:04It was such a huge upset.
42:09It's the David versus Goliath story, but with horses.
42:13It makes you want to cry, but I'm trying not to.
42:16That's how I feel right now.
42:17Yeah, I know. You can't help it.
42:19I don't say the world's come to an end, but it's pretty near the brink.
42:24Mickey, I'm so sorry.
42:26We've just got broken dreams and broken hearts and the deflation of it is horrendous.
42:33Oh, well, what are we going to do? Go and beat them up in Ireland, shall we?
42:36Yeah, that's a good idea.
42:38Have you ever seen anything like that?
42:40Yes, unfortunately.
42:42It's one of those extraordinary races, but the dream is over for us.
42:46And, you know, that's very disappointing.
42:51Yeah.
42:53Come here.
42:55Oh, my God. Paul wants to know if you want to come back.
42:59Found it.
43:01Yes, thank you.
43:03You all right? Yeah, Paul.
43:05It still hurts.
43:07Couldn't believe he fell.
43:09But to get that close, that's a lot harder to deal with.
43:14Yeah, fine, thanks, yeah.
43:16Walking back into the wearing room, I don't really care who has won the race.
43:21And I don't really care what has happened.
43:23For fuck's sake this.
43:25Because what's done is done, and I can't change anything.
43:29Did you ever think we were going to win the champion?
43:31Ever. Ever.
43:33What the hell, like?
43:35Unbelievable, yeah.
43:36It's an amazing, amazing story that restores your faith.
43:46Oh, mate, that's so good, isn't it?
43:48It doesn't matter how much money you've got, it doesn't matter how successful you are,
43:52the small guy can still win on the biggest stage of them all.
43:55Right, everybody!
44:06He's coming down.
44:08So, shh, shh.
44:12CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
44:17Yes, thank you.
44:19Excellent.
44:20You didn't have a clue.
44:21That's rotten.
44:26Can I take you?
44:27No, no, no, no, no.
44:29Thank you very much.
44:30Thank you very much.
44:31Oh, Jesus.
44:32No falsehood ever saved.
44:33Something like that, no.
44:35All the talk had been England, Ireland and the champion hurdle.
44:40And then how ironic that a young Welshman delivers the goods.
44:44No, no, no.
44:47We'll be talking about that champion hurdle for years to come.
44:51It was an absolute one for the ages.
44:55I just wanted to thank everybody for coming and showing your support.
44:58It's very much appreciated and it was a fantastic day for myself, the owner and Jeremy Scott.
45:04So, if we could just raise a glass.
45:07Thank you very much for coming.
45:09Cheers, everyone.
45:11CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
45:14Hopefully, just open a few more doors.
45:18Hopefully, I can have a few more days competing at the top level.
45:21That's what I'd really love to find out.
45:23Look at this.
45:26Oh, Jesus.
45:27Good thing, isn't it?
45:28Sounds right.
45:30Have another cake.
45:38It's the Grand National and the world is watching.
45:42The whole atmosphere is extraordinary.
45:45The jumps are bigger, the distance is longer.
45:49It's not for the faint-hearted.
45:50Oh, it's not.
45:53Maybe son wants to make her father proud.
45:55Watch out!
45:56Just starting to let myself dream a little bit here.
45:58Anything can happen.
45:59Hang on tight.
46:20Take care.
46:21Bye.
46:23Bye.
46:24Thanks for listening.
46:25Bye.
46:26Bye.
46:28Bye.
46:30Bye.
46:32Bye.
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