Eile finished for season Al Eile will not run again this season after finishing a creditable fourth in the John Smith's Aintree Hurdle on Saturday. The nine-year-old was sent off the 4-1 favourite to secure his fourth successive victory in the Grade One contest but after travelling strongly into the straight, his challenge weakened late on. It was a sterling effort considering it was only his second run - and his first over hurdles - since winning the prize 12 months ago and his trainer John Queally is hoping for an uninterrupted campaign next term. "I'm actually still in Liverpool but the horse arrived back home at 10am this morning and from what I hear, he is fine," said Queally. "He travelled well in the race off a slow enough pace but I don't want to make any excuses. He came into the race after winning at Dundalk but it was his first run over hurdles since last year so it was a good run. "We've had an interrupted campaign and he won't run again this season now. I would say we might start him off next season in one of the good Flat handicaps towards the backend. "Hopefully we will be back at Aintree in 12 months' time all being well, as this seems to be the race for him."
