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Constitution Hill falls again as Golden Ace wins Fighting Fifth Hurdle

Former champion hurdler Constitution Hill fell once again as Golden Ace came through to win the Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle.

Constitution Hill won his first 10 races but has now fallen three times in four outings.

Newcastle’s largest attendance for jump racing in 20 years was shocked after barely a minute as the horse came down at the second hurdle, before previously unbeaten The New Lion also fell when in the lead.

Anzadam – also previousy unbeaten – was second, with Nemean Lion the third and final finisher.

“Constitution Hill did the same thing as he has twice before, stood off a mile and hit the middle of the hurdle,” former champion jockey AP McCoy told ITV Sport.

The previously unbeaten 2023 Champion Hurdle hero also had heavy falls at Cheltenham and Aintree.

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Ace Ventura & Blade star Udo Kier dies aged 81 after six decade career that saw him star in 200 films

ICONIC Hollywood actor Udi Kier has tragically died aged 81.

The veteran German star, who appeared in popular movies like Ace Ventura and Blade, passed away just weeks after his birthday.

German actor Udo Kier has died aged 81Credit: Getty
Kier acted in more than 200 moviesCredit: Alamy

Delbert McBride, Kier’s partner, revealed that the legendary actor passed away on Sunday. He did not reveal the cause of death.

Photographer Michael Childers, who was a friend of Kier’s, has revealed on Facebook that he died in a hospital in Palm Springs, California.

Kier rose to fame after playing villains and monsters across Hollywood and European films, including popular collaborations with Andy Warhol.

Throughout his career, which spanned more than six decades, Kier acted in more than 200 movies.

But his breakout collaborations with Warhol are among his most celebrated.

He starred in the titular roles in both 1973’s Flesh for Frankenstein and 1974’s Blood for Dracula – both produced by Warhol.

Kier once told The Guardian: “I like horror films, because if you play small or guest parts in movies, it is better to be evil and scare people than be the guy who works in the post office and goes home to his wife and children. Audiences will remember you more.”

In 1991, the German actor went on to debut his US role in My Own Private Idaho, which also starred Keanu Reeves and River Phoenix.

His successful Hollywood career included films like End of Days, Blade, Johnny Mnemonic, Armageddon and Ace Ventura: Pet Detective.

The actor’s final role was 2025 historical political thriller The Secret Agent, in which he played Jewish Holocaust survivor Hans, who gets mistaken for a Nazi fugitive.

Kier was born on 14 October 1944 in Cologne, towards the end of World War II.

His hospital was bombed during the war, and he and his mother were reportedly dug out from rubble.

Kier moved to London at the age of 18 to learn English before starting his successful movie career.

He moved to Palm Springs, California, in 1991.

It comes just days after actor Spencer Lofranco died at the age of 33.

The Canadian film star was best known for playing the lead role of James Burns in 2014 crime drama Jamesy Boy.

The veteran German star passed away just weeks after his birthday.Credit: Getty

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Ace Frehley cause of death confirmed by N.J. coroner

The official cause of death for Ace Frehley, the guitarist who was a founding member of hard-rock band Kiss, has been released, confirming details his family shared in October.

The medical examiner for New Jersey’s Morris County said in a report, published by TMZ, that Frehley died of “blunt trauma injuries” to his head suffered during a fall. His death was ruled an accident. The report listed injuries including a brain bleed and fractures to his skull.

Frehley’s death on Oct. 16 was announced by his family, which said he had recently suffered a fall. “In his last moments, we were fortunate enough to have been able to surround him with loving, caring, peaceful words, thoughts, prayers and intentions as he left this earth,” the family said in a statement at the time. Frehley was 74.

“We cherish all of his finest memories, his laughter, and celebrate his strengths and kindness that he bestowed upon others,” the statement continued. “The magnitude of his passing is of epic proportions, and beyond comprehension.”

Frehley, known also for his Spaceman alter ego, died less than two weeks after canceling the remainder of his 2025 live performances due to undisclosed “onging medical issues.” He was also hospitalized in late September after suffering a “minor fall” in his studio, his tour manager John Ostrosky announced. Though the rocker was “fine,” doctors urged him to take time from the road to recover, prompting him to cancel his appearance at the Antelope Valley Fair.

The musician was among the original members of Kiss, playing with the band for about a decade, from 1973 — when he formed the group in New York with Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons and Peter Criss — until 1982, when he quit not long after Criss left.

The band, which had its final show in 2023, was known for flamboyant performances, and costumes and heavy makeup. Despite his relatively short tenure, Frehley proved instrumental in creating the band’s stomping and glittery sound, as heard in songs like “Detroit Rock City,” “Rock and Roll All Nite,” “Strutter” and “I Was Made for Lovin’ You.” He was part of a reunion tour with the band from 1996 to 2002.

“He was an essential and irreplaceable rock soldier during some of the most formative foundational chapters of the band and its history,” the band said of Frehley following news of his death. “He is and will always be a part of KISS’s legacy. Our thoughts are with Jeanette, Monique and all those who loved him, including our fans around the world.”

The 2014 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee is survived by his wife, Jeanette; his daughter, Monique; his brother, Charles; his sister, Nancy; and several nieces and nephews.

Times pop music critic Mikael Wood contributed to this report.



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