From my experience, sometimes they'll strike the prey from a bad angle and catch it on the side or something. They can't fit it in their mouth that way and eventually give up if they aren't able to adjust it.
That's why I always watch my BP eat if his initial strike misses the rat's head. He once tried to swallow the rat from the shoulder area for a good hour before just abandoning the rat. I just picked it up, dangled it again and he managed to catch it on the head the second time and ate it right away.
Did you feed him while he was in the hide? It might have been hard to get a good angle in there. I always make sure my snake is completely out to feed.
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