Pineau catches stewards' eyes Dr Richard Newland was asked to explain the performance of his Crabbie's Grand National winner Pineau De Re by the Cheltenham stewards yesterday after he was well beaten on his return to action over hurdles. Running in the Ultima Business Solutions Handicap Hurdle, the 11-year-old, the mount of Daryl Jacob, was always in the rear and was eventually beaten 66 lengths. The stewards interviewed the trainer and jockey, and Jacob reported that his instructions were to try to creep into the race on the second circuit, but that he ran keenly and his big weight told in the final mile. Newland confirmed the instructions and said they were necessary because the gelding can be very keen. Having heard the evidence and viewed recordings of the race, the stewards noted the explanations. Newland said: "I tried to explain to the stewards that is how he has to be ridden, so I was happy with the ride. He just got a bit tired. "We will find him another hurdle race somewhere, perhaps even back here." David Pipe's Katkeau won on his first start for over 600 days.
