Pineau De Re set for second hurdles run

Grand National hero Pineau De Re will make another appearance over hurdles at either Carlisle or Cheltenham next month after finishing down the field at Prestbury Park on Saturday.

Making his first appearance since his success in the world's most famous steeplechase, Dr Richard Newland's 11-year-old beat just one rival home in Cheltenham's three-mile-one-furlong handicap hurdle.

Newland is expecting plenty of improvement, however, and a return to Merseyside in the spring remains top of the agenda.

Newland said: "He's absolutely fine. He knows he's had a race as it was hard work for him with all that weight in that ground.

"I sort of knew in that ground he'd get tired and that's what happened, but it's a long time until April.

"He'll run again in about a month's time. There's the Pertemps qualifier at Carlisle he ran in last year and finished second and also another hurdle race back at Cheltenham.

"It will be one or the other."

Grand National-winning jockey Leighton Aspell was replaced by Daryl Jacob on Saturday, but Newland insists no decision will be made on his partner at Aintree until much nearer the time.

"We're keeping our options open, really," said the trainer.

"I just felt it was a good opportunity for Daryl to get used the horse and it gives us options when it comes to the National."