Golden Ace chasing more Cheltenham glory for Scott

Jeremy Scott says he has probably used up a lifetime's share of luck at Cheltenham after Golden Ace was gift-wrapped the Champion Hurdle by State Man falling at the last fence 12 months ago.

But as he prepares for his eight-year-old mare's title defence on the opening day of the festival on Tuesday, the Somerset handler appears quietly confident that this time round she may not need any such fortune.

The absence of Constitution Hill, whose jumping issues have forced his move to the Flat, and injuries to State Man and Sir Gino have already robbed a significant threat from this year's field.

Scott said their absence has "levelled it all up a little bit".

Against a bunch of hurdlers, who look much of a muchness, with none staking an unshakeable claim it is not a huge leap to a point where Golden Ace repeats her win of 12 months ago and puts her trainer back in dreamland.

"I am really pleased with the way she is at the moment and the way the race has panned out," Scott told BBC Radio Somerset.

"We have lost the two best hurdlers in the form of Constitution Hill and Sir Gino it has levelled it all up a little bit.

"I couldn't be happier with the way she is going into it and, as long as everything holds together, I think we've got a really good chance."

Few gave Golden Ace much hope in 2025 either, when she went off in the ring at 25-1 in a field of seven or, more when approaching the last flight trailing State Man by five lengths when her in-running odds were 129-1.

But better a lucky horse than one who cannot get over the eight flights and with Constitution Hill having exited at the fifth, State Man crashed out at the last to hand it her on a plate.

"I just couldn't believe it. I genuinely couldn't believe it," said Scott when asked to go through his emotions during and after last year's win.

"I didn't think for one minute [we could win] or if I did think there was any possibility that we could win [in the build up] I would say 'Don't be so stupid – it will never bloomin' happen!'

"When it did, albeit by default with two horses falling, it was a really odd moment. It was as if I was dreaming. As it sank in it just ended up a magical day."

Unable to get a lift back to his stables at Brompton Regis that night, Scott had to stay in Cheltenham and missed his team's celebrations that night.

"I think they had quite a good party in my absence," he said. "But the win upped our profile and we certainly gained a couple of nice horses on the back of it as well.

"It also gives you more confidence. I have been to the Festival many times and not done brilliantly well and it makes you realise you've just got to keep pressing away.

"Yes we needed a bit of luck but maybe it gave us the confidence to take on the big guys a bit more often."

All roads have led to Cheltenham and a title defence for Golden Ace this season.

She disappointed at Wetherby in November but landed the Fighting Fifth at Newcastle after Champion Hurdle favourite The New Lion fell two out.

She then finished a creditable second to Sir Gino at Kempton at Christmas.

Big-race jockey Lorcan Williams said the Champion Hurdle looks wide open but is confident he will be sitting in the right saddle on Tuesday.

"If you asked five trainers in the race they would probably tell you they were going to win it but we are very positive," he said.

"I would not swap her for any other horse in the race and I think she has a great chance."