Willie Mullins dominates grand national opener as Constitution Hill’s career takes another hit.

The haunting silence that swept through Aintree told the whole story. Constitution Hill—once hailed as the most exciting jumper of his generation—had fallen again. For the second time in a row, the unbeaten giant crashed out of a major race, this time gifting the Aintree Hurdle to a razor-sharp Lossiemouth and her ice-cool jockey Paul Townend.

Willie Mullins looked half-sympathetic, half-stunned in the winner’s enclosure. It wasn’t supposed to end like this—not for Constitution Hill, not twice. But his mare had done the job, and done it with class.

“It’s heartbreaking for them,” Mullins said, speaking of Nicky Henderson, owner Michael Buckley, and jockey Nico de Boinville. “But we came here knowing our mare was in great shape. Paul made his move and, well, you can’t say no to a gift like that.”

Constitution Hill, travelling ominously well around the final turn, looked ready to make amends for his Cheltenham catastrophe. But as De Boinville tried to switch for daylight, the seven-year-old took off too early and clattered the hurdle. The gasp from the stands was deafening.

It left Lossiemouth and Wodhooh in the clear, but only one had the killer instinct. Townend didn’t hesitate. He sent Lossiemouth surging ahead, and with two-and-three-quarter lengths to spare at the line, it was job done—and revenge for her Kempton defeat to Constitution Hill in December.

Henderson, ever gracious in defeat, struggled to comprehend the repeat error. “You couldn’t believe it, really. He’s the best jumper you’ll ever see—but then he’s done that twice. It’s the 1% chance you can’t prepare for,” he said.

De Boinville, clearly rattled, had told Henderson he had Lossiemouth “where he wanted her.” But the race doesn’t wait for confidence. Constitution Hill’s jumping betrayed him again—more worrisome this time, because this was no fluke.

Once invincible, the superstar now faces questions. A once-immaculate record is stained. Since winning the Champion Hurdle in 2023, he’s had two aborted comebacks—first with an infection, then lameness—plus a spell in hospital with suspected colic. Now, two falls in a row. The rollercoaster is starting to dip.

But if Constitution Hill’s drama cast a shadow, Willie Mullins basked in daylight. The Aintree opener turned into a coronation for the Irish trainer as he stormed to four straight wins.

Impaire Et Passe got things rolling with a polished win in the Manifesto Novices’ Chase, the 9-4 shot skipping Cheltenham but thriving here under Townend. Then Murcia strolled home in the Juvenile Hurdle. But the highlight—other than Lossiemouth—came in the Bowl, where Mullins’ son Patrick produced a nerveless ride aboard Gaelic Warrior to edge out Grey Dawning.

It marked history: Patrick Mullins became the first amateur ever to win the Bowl, triggering wild celebrations from owners Rich and Susannah Ricci, who had endured heartbreak earlier when their horse Willy De Houelle suffered a fatal injury.

The drama wasn’t limited to the headline events.

In the Foxhunters’ Chase, it was all about family tradition. Huw Edwards, grandson of National veteran Roy Edwards, delivered a fairytale win aboard 22-1 outsider Gracchus De Balme over the Grand National fences. It was raw, emotional stuff. “You only dream of this,” he said tearfully.

Paul Nicholls also had his moment with Sans Bruit, who made it back-to-back wins in the Red Rum Handicap Chase. Last year, it was Bryony Frost in the saddle; this time, Harry Cobden delivered the goods with a clinical ride.

And Flat jockey Billy Lee, switching codes, showed his class aboard Seo Linn, taking the Mares’ Bumper at 15-8. A first jump win at Aintree for the Irish rider, but unlikely to be the last.

Still, it was Constitution Hill’s tumble that lingered in the mind. Frank Keogh of BBC Sport put it bluntly: “You cannot replicate the conditions of a race.” No matter how much schooling, how much training, there’s no second chance when gravity takes over.

Henderson now has a call to make—Punchestown in four weeks. The idea of facing Lossiemouth again might be daunting, but that’s what champions do: rise, fall, and try again.

But for now, this is Lossiemouth’s moment. A Grade One, a national stage, and the sweetest of redemptions. For Mullins, Townend, and the Riccis, it was a perfect start to the Grand National festival.

For Constitution Hill, another chapter in a once-perfect tale—now tinged with real-world fragility.