Pineau De Re bids for Newbury success
Dr Richard Newland is training the 2014 Grand National winner for a return to Aintree, after which he will probably be retired.
Back in December, Pineau De Re won over hurdles at Carlisle and while he pulled up last Saturday, his trainer thinks he was looking after himself.
“He’s absolutely fine, he ran last Saturday but was rather disappointing,” said Newland.
“The jockey pulled him up because he didn’t feel he was quite right but he’s fine and he’s absolutely bouncing. We’re hoping for better than that.
“With the Festival a week closer to Aintree this year, he’s an older horse now and sometimes can get stiff after his runs, so we didn’t enter him.
“At home he shows as much as ever — in his comfort zone, he’s full of himself — but as he showed at Carlisle he retains plenty of ability.
“For whatever reason he didn’t enjoy it last week, it was a bit of a cavalry charge down to the first hurdle and they took him off his feet.
“The National will probably be his last race, we’d love to get him there and show what he can do.”
Another heading back to Aintree is Fergal O’Brien’s Alvarado, who has been fourth in the last two Grand Nationals.
Lightly raced in recent years, with the amount of money on offer at Aintree it is no surprise connections train him with one race in mind all season.
“Alvarado is having his first run of the year and it will be good to get him out,” said O’Brien.
