National hero Pineau wins at Carisle Grand National hero Pineau De Re rolled back the years to land the Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle at Carlisle on Sunday. Dr Richard Newland's 2014 Aintree victor was never far away from the principals under Richard Johnson, moving with some menace before taking over at the head of affairs with his ears pricked from Native Optimist two from home. Galloping on strongly, the 12-year-old had four lengths to spare at the line over Quel Elite, to become the first horse to win another race after the National since Bindaree in the Welsh National of 2003. He was also making a swift return to action, having only got as far as the second fence in the Becher Chase at Aintree last weekend. Proud owner John Provan said: "It was good to get it (another win after the National) on the board, a bit more history with the horse. "Since we got him we thought he acted a bit younger than his years, he felt more like an eight-year-old as a 10-year-old, so we're hoping we've still got a lot to come from this horse. "I think he could be back in the National and hopefully run a big race there. It would be exciting just to go back again. "He's on a mark over fences of 141, which would be a nice mark for the National, so we'll try to look after that mark if we can. "We'll possibly run him over hurdles until then, he might have a short break now and then bring him back to go to Cheltenham and then the National."
