Lossiemouth wins Aintree Hurdle after Constitution Hill falls

Constitution Hill fell for the second time in succession as star mare Lossiemouth landed the Aintree Hurdle, the feature race on day one of the Grand National meeting.

The Nicky Henderson-trained favourite suffered a shock departure in the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham last month.

It looked as though he was travelling well for Nico de Boinville today - turning for home this time, although he was trying to find racing room.

But as De Boinville switched out to launch his challenge, Constitution Hill once again got his jumping wrong and hit the turf, leaving Lossiemouth and Wodhooh at the head of the field.

Paul Townend then seized the initiative on Lossiemouth and the pair won by two and three-quarter lengths.

It was the fourth win from the first four races on the day's card for trainer Willie Mullins with Townend taking the ride on three of the four winners.

Impaire Et Passe (9-4), who skipped the Cheltenham Festival, started the run under Townend in the Manifesto Novices' Chase before Murcia (11-4) claimed an easy win in the Juvenile Hurdle for the pair.

Mullins' son Patrick then became the first amateur rider to win the Bowl with a well-timed ride on Gaelic Warrior (11-4) to overhaul Grey Dawning for owners Rich and Susannah Ricci, who also own Lossiemouth.

It was an emotional day for the Riccis after another of their horses, Willy De Houelle, had earlier sustained a fatal injury in the Juvenile Hurdle.

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