For the first time ever, the four consecutive Grade One races on Opening Day at the Randox Grand National Festival went to the same stable as Lossiemouth (5-4) landed the Grade One William Hill Aintree Hurdle.
The Evens Favourite Constitution Hill parted company with Nico de Boinville three flights from home.
Lossiemouth came home two and three quarters lengths clear of Wodhooh to hand team Mullins a 102-1 four-timer.
Willie Mullins said: “I was disappointed that Constitution Hill fell - I’m disappointed for Michael [Buckley], for connections, Nicky and Nico, and disappointed for racing as well. We came here with our mare in good shape, and we thought the trip would suit us on the day. We never got to find out, really.
“I was wondering whether Paul had got there too soon, and had he run his race, maybe. Nico has a great habit of looking under pressure and then finding a bit in the last furlong, so oftentimes you think you have Nico beaten and he has a little bit up his sleeve. I wondered at the time, had Paul played the card too early? But it was gifted to him and what can you do?
“I imagine she’ll go to Punchestown, if she comes out of this alright. That’s her normal plan. State Man will be going for the Champion Hurdle there and we’d probably keep them apart.”
Winning jockey Paul Townend said: : “Lovely mare. The second ran a brilliant race as well. Two and a half miles here was ideal for her. The ground was lively enough - it’s drying out every minute of the day, I’d say, but she coped with it well. I think I saw Nico walking away and Constitution Hill ok, so I can celebrate now.
“She can look as though she’s running a bit keen, but she was going nowhere in third and I wasn’t going to pass anyone who was going to pass me back. She’s slick with her jumping - she fell very uncharacteristically at Leopardstown, but you can trust her. The best ones just maybe need reminding that they too can end up on the floor. You’d trust her with your life. It’s been an incredible day - it only feels like yesterday we were in Cheltenham, and the team we left at home obviously did a brilliant job in keeping the horses fresh and well.”
Gordon Elliott, trainer of the runner-up Take No Chances said: “I’m very happy with that. Absolutely delighted. She ran a great race. I’m very proud of her. She’s a great mare and she runs her race every day.”
Nicky Henderson, trainer of Constitution Hill, said: Henderson: “To do it twice - you couldn’t believe it really. He is genuinely the best jumper you’ll ever see. But in that vocabulary there’s just that one percent chance of doing what he’s done and he’s done it twice. It does worry you, of course it does, but how can you iron it out?
“Today he’d been fantastic the whole way. At a couple of hurdles when he needed to he was shortening up and that’s what we’ve been trying to get him to do, but when you are racing like that three out you can’t afford to do that, you’ve got to go, and maybe he came up too soon.”
Asked if he Constitution Hill might be better running free in front than held up, as in the Supreme and the Champion Hurdle, Henderson replied: “His least impressive win was actually here over two and a half, where I think we made all. We just wanted to get him to relax but I think next time …….. (I can’t make this bit out)
Will he still go to Punchestown?: “We were sort of starting to discuss it. I would personally have said yes. Those hurdles will suit him better.”
