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25-1 shot Pineau De Re pulls away in Grand National Dr. Richard Newland and John Provan have been friends for 25 years, and their longheld dream of training and owning the winner of the Grand National became reality on Saturday when 25-1 shot Pineau De Re landed the big prize in the hands of Leighton Aspell. The 11-year-old gelding was the first National runner for both trainer and owner. "Two out or three out we were getting excited," said Newland, a medical doctor by profession, who trains 12 horses in Claines, Worcestershire. "I was jumping up and down with my daughter. Leighton had a plan and delivered it superbly well. He's a great guy and a good jockey and I'm thrilled for him. "When something like this happens you think perhaps I should stop now because it just can't get better than this. He's a classy, classy horse Pineau De Re, I've always thought that. When I got him he was 10, he's 11 now but he doesn't act like an 11-year-old, he's got loads of ability and he still has all the enthusiasm to do the job. He has the combination of stamina and a touch of speed and it was just a wonderful performance even though he made a few errors." The French-bred Pineau De Re is a son of the Thoroughbred stallion Maresca Sorrento -- a male-line descendant of Nijinsky II's son Green Dancer -- and the non-Thoroughbred mare Elfe du Perche, who is a Selle Francais. Victorious by 23 lengths in the Ulster Grand National at this time last year, Pineau De Re was then purchased privately by his current connections. He captured a handicap chase at Exeter two back on January 14, and was most recently a close third in a listed hurdle at Cheltenham March 13. Patiently ridden by Aspell, who was also earning his first Grand National success, Pineau De Re struck the front over the 30th and final fence and drew off with authority to prevail by five lengths. He negotiated the four-mile, 3 1/2-furlong contest in 9:09 4/5 on Aintree's good-to-soft course. Balthazar King finished second, and Double Seven, the joint favorite at 10-1, reported home third of 18 who completed the course. Co-favored Teaforthree unseated his rider and was among the 22 who did not finish. Aintree reported that all 40 horses and riders "returned safe and sound." Aspell, who had previously finished second in the Grand National on board Supreme Glory in 2003, was visibly delighted having gone one better. The 37-year-old jockey had announced his retirement in July of 2007 and went to work for trainer John Dunlop for 18 months. But the lure of the saddle proved irresistible and he returned to race-riding in April 2009. He is currently enjoying his best season to date, and Saturday's success marked the 61st of the campaign. "It's a dream come true," Aspell said. "The feeling is just of elation when you cross the line. At my age, I won't have many more chances to win! Every year, you share winning the National with your friends but obviously you want to do it yourself. "You keep going through a combination of tiredness and adrenalin now. I was trying to save as much as I could, but he is such a little terrier he kept swinging back into the bridle. I was very conscious about being out in front -- it's four miles and nearly four furlongs and there's no other race in the calendar that long. "He's a small horse and he is going to try very hard over jumps, which he kept doing. When we got over the third last, Noel (Fehily, on Rocky Creek) tried to increase the pace and I couldn't quite get a real feel of what I was holding on to. "I met the last really well and got a bit of daylight -- he missed a few on the way round more through lack of daylight but I suppose it's the same for a lot out there. When I was settled in behind horses, we missed a few fences. From the Canal Turn last time, we had plenty of good daylight and he really enjoyed that part of the race. "I knew we were in with a chance jumping Valentine's second time round," the jockey continued. "You're never certain of winning, even when you reach the Elbow, but I knew we'd have to tie up badly to be caught at that point. We didn't have a lot left to be honest but you wouldn't at the end of this sort of trip. "It's a wonderful day. This is what we do it for. I remember watching the National as a very young boy and, as much as you enjoy sharing in everybody's success, you seek and crave a bit too. It's great to get a chance. "Even to get a ride in the National is a great thing but to get one with a live chance is even better. "My family made the effort to come over yesterday on the train and we had a night out last night. We are all here today to enjoy it too." Newland explained how he'd come by Pineau De Re. "The horse was entered in the May Sales at Doncaster last year just after he'd won the Ulster National at Downpatrick," the trainer said, "and I rang Barry Connell, his previous owner, about him and he took the view the horse was a bit high in the handicap in Ireland and he would struggle. Barry's a good guy and I had this inkling that this horse had run his career best over 3 1/2 miles and there could be more to come. It was a bit bizarre to be buying a 10-year-old but we took a chance. We certainly didn't think he'd romp home in the National but he has and that's racing. "This is a hobby for me really," Newland said of his training enterprise, "and I have no real plans to change anything at the minute. I have great work colleagues at Newbridge and I love working with them too. I'm lucky enough to be able to do this and enjoy it, but if you do it as a full-time job there's a higher level of stress and less fun. I have a big gang of supporters here today and my three daughters so that makes it extra special. "I feed the horses in the morning, harrow the gallop and leave instructions for the day," the trainer added. "I go out with the horses when I can but quite often I have to leave it to the team. Carolyn, who has lead up today, Millie, who does the work at home and has been with me for a long, long time. Chris Ward, Amanda and now Charlie Hammond, who are work riders. Chris has put this horse right and done all of the work on him. "John Provan and I met 25 years ago and he's my oldest racing friend and we've been coming here to Aintree for 20 years together long before I trained or even owned horses. It was always our dream to have a National runner." "I wouldn't normally buy a 10-year-old," Provan admitted. "It's outside the age group I'd normally buy. I'd usually go for a five or six-year-old with a bit of future. I saw this as a window of opportunity. "I thought we could maybe win a Midlands National and Scottish National but we could only dream of winning the Grand National, it's a dream. We decided to come here and chase the prize put up by Crabbie's and it's a fantastic sponsorship. "We have brought everybody today, we are all sharing in the magic moment in time," the owner said. "It's fantastic, absolutely fantastic. We love taking on the big guys. We have come against Paul Nicholls and all the jockeys -- it's hard to get a really good jockey when you want one. "Leighton Aspell did the job absolutely perfect today. We couldn't have asked anymore from a jockey. I have to say a big thank you to all of Richard's staff, such lovely staff. They all do their job 100 percent and it's just fantastic for them. They will all be in the celebrations tonight." Bookmakers were likewise celebrating the 25-1 result. Betfred boss Fred Done said that Pineau De Re saved his firm a huge payout. Heading into the race the Warrington-based bookmaker, the official betting partner of the Grand National Festival, feared a £1 million loss had plunge horse Shakalakaboomboom crossed the winning post in front. Eventual runner-up Balthazar King was another springer in the market who would have potentially cost Betfred seven figures. "It was the first horsebox I passed on my way to Aintree this morning and he's done me a right favor," Done said. "I'll be sending a big bottle of champers to the Doctor." Bet Horseracing Free Online at TwinSpires.com
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