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Pineau de Re, trained by Doctor Richard Newland, sprang a 25/1 shock in the world’s greatest steeplechase the Grand National at Aintree racecourse yesterday. |
Given a brilliant ride by 37-year-old Leighton Aspell, who gave up riding over jumps in 2007 before returning to the code, he came home clear of the gallant 14/1 shot Balthazar King.
“I’ve been watching the National since I was a young boy,” said Aspell, whose predecessor as winning jockey Ryan Mania also won the National on his return from self-imposed retirement.
“You secretly crave a bit of success. To get a ride in the National is a great thing and to get one with a live chance is even better.”
Newland, who gave up his surgery last year, was in dreamland as he delivered victory to his old friend owner John Provan, a former amateur jockey and who has a packaging business.
“John is my oldest racing friend, he taught me a lot about the sport especially when we rode as amateur jockeys,” said Newland. “This is unthinkable, my heart rate was not healthy throughout the race!” he added.
The 10/1 joint favourite Double Seven under Tony McCoy came in third while the other joint favourite Teaforthree fell at the 15th fence, The Chair, on the first circuit. Other favoured horses also failed to make it past the first circuit. The 13-year-old Tidal Bay’s hopes of becoming the oldest winner since Sergeant Murphy in 1923 ended when he unseated his rider after colliding with Golan Way at the Canal Turn. His stablemate Long Run, bidding to become only the third horse to achieve the Cheltenham Gold Cup and National double and the first since L’Escargot in 1975, came down at the next.