CRABBIE’S Grand National-winning trainer Dr Richard Newland is tipping Pineau De Re to have another big race in today’s showpiece at Aintree (4.15pm).

No horse has won back-to-back Nationals since the legendary Red Rum in 1974 but Claines-based trainer Newland is not writing off Pineau De Re’s chances of creating history.

The 12-year-old champion is a 25-1 shot to repeat his memorable triumph of a year ago but is racing off an 8lb higher handicap rating.

Newland said: “Pineau De Re has got 11 stone to carry but that’s not a crippling weight. I think if he was to repeat exactly the same run as last year he would go very close.”

Last year’s winning jockey, Leighton Aspell, will be aboard Oliver Sherwood’s Many Clouds and Pineau is being ridden by Daryl Jacob.

Newland said: “People get caught up with the fact that nobody has managed to win the National back-to-back since Red Rum so people tend to dismiss Pineau’s chance.

“Lots of horses have come back to Aintree and run well. Because it’s a unique test I see no reason why Pineau De Re can’t also run very well.”

Pineau De Re, owned by John Provan, was Newland’s first horse in the National and he will be joined this year by stable-mate Royale Knight.

“Royale Knight joined us two years ago and was rated 85,” explained Newland.

“He’s now rated 139, won eight races for the yard and is a stable favourite.

“His strong suit is his stamina. He wouldn’t be as fast as some of the other horses in the race and he may have difficulty in keeping up with them but if he’s still there or thereabouts I am sure he can complete the last mile as quick as he can do the first mile.”

Brendan Powell will be riding Royale Knight, a consistent staying chaser, suited by extreme distances and decent ground.

Newland said: “I think both have got good chances but that doesn’t mean they are going to win. They might run good races and get placed.

"They might be unlucky and be brought down and it might be over very quickly. 

"The whole team work really hard to make it happen and I hope we get two good runs and they both come back fit and well.”

THE LINE UP FOR TODAY'S GRAND NATIONAL AT AINTREE (4.15PM):

1) LORD WINDERMERE (IRE) (Visor) Age: 9; Weight: 11-10; Owner: Dr Ronan Lambe; Trainer/probable jockey: Jim Culloty IRE/Brian O'Connell.

2) MANY CLOUDS (IRE) Age: 8; Weight: 11-09; Owner: Trevor Hemmings; Trainer/probable jockey: Oliver Sherwood/Leighton Aspell.

3) UNIONISTE (FR) (C/pieces) Age: 7; Weight: 11-06; Owner: John Hales; Trainer/probable jockey: Paul Nicholls/Noel Fehily.

4) ROCKY CREEK (IRE) Age: 9l Weight: 11-03; Owner: The Johnson & Stewart Families; Trainer/probable jockey: Paul Nicholls/Sam Twiston-Davies.

5) FIRST LIEUTENANT (IRE) (T Strp, C/pieces) Age: 10; Weight: 11-03; Owner: Gigginstown House Stud; Trainer/probable jockey: Mouse Morris. IRE/Miss Nina Carberry.

6) BALTHAZAR KING (IRE) Age: 11; Weight: 11-02; Owner: The Brushmakers; Trainer/probable jockey: Philip Hobbs/Richard Johnson.

7) SHUTTHEFRONTDOOR (IRE) (T Strp, C/pieces) Age: 8; Weight: 11-02; Owner: J P McManus: Trainer/probable jockey: Jonjo O'Neill/A P McCoy.

8) PINEAU DE RE (FR) Age: 12; Weight: 11-00; Owner: John Provan; Trainer/probable jockey: Dr Richard Newland/Daryl Jacob.

9) BALLYCASEY (IRE) Age: 8; Weight: 10-13; Owner: Susannah Ricci'; Trainer/probable jockey: Willie Mullins IRE/Ruby Walsh.

10) SPRING HEELED (IRE) (C/pieces) Age: 8; Weight:10-12; Owner: Dr Ronan Lambe; Trainer/probable jockey: Jim Culloty IRE/Nick Scholfield.

11) REBEL REBELLION (IRE) (Blnkrs, T Strp) Age: 10; Weight: 10-12; Owner: Woodhouse, Sutton & Dobson; Trainer/probable jockey: Paul Nicholls/Ryan Mahon.

12) DOLATULO (FR) (T Strp, C/pieces) Age: 8; Weight: 10-11; Owner: Chasemore Farm; Trainer/probable jockey: Warren Greatrex/Dougie Costello.

13) MON PARRAIN (FR) (Blnkrs, T Strp) Age: 9; Weight: 10-11; Owner: John & Barbara Cotton;  Trainer/probable jockey: Paul Nicholls/Sean Bowen.

*** 14) CARLITO BRIGANTE (IRE) Age: 9; Weight: 10-10; Owner: 06 Zoo Ltd; Trainer/probable jockey: Karen McLintock/Brian Harding. *** Withdrawn after examination by vet.

15) NIGHT IN MILAN (IRE) (Blnkrs) Age: 9; Weight: 10-09; Owner: Richard Collins; Trainer/probable jockey: Keith Reveley/James Reveley.

16) RUBI LIGHT (FR) (T Strp) Age:10; Weight: 10-09; Owner: Bill Hennessy; Trainer/probable jockey: Robert Hennessy IRE/Andrew Lynch.

17) THE DRUIDS NEPHEW (IRE) (C/pieces) Age: 8; Weight: 10-09; Owner: The Stonehenge Druids; Trainer/probable jockey: Neil Mulholland/Aidan Coleman.

18) CAUSE OF CAUSES (USA) (T Strp, C/pieces) Age: 7; Weight: 10-09; Owner: J P McManus; Trainer/probable jockey: Gordon Elliott IRE/Paul Carberry.

19) GODSMEJUDGE (IRE) Age: 9; Weight: 10-08; Owner: Favourites Racing Ltd; Trainer/probable jockey: Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson.

20) AL CO (FR) Age: 10; Weight: 10-08; Owner: Frank Lloyd; Trainer/probable jockey: Peter Bowen/Denis O'Regan.

21) MONBEG DUDE (IRE) Age: 10; Weight: 10-07; Owner: Oydunow; Trainer/probable jockey: Michael Scudamore/Liam Treadwell.

22) CORRIN WOOD (IRE) Age: 8; Weight: 10-07; Owner: Dermot Hanafin Robert Rose Ian Whitfield; Trainer/probable jockey: Donald McCain/David Casey.

23) THE RAINBOW HUNTER Age:11; Weight: 10-07; Owner: May We Never Be Found Out Partnership; Trainer/probable jockey: Kim Bailey/David Bass.

24) SAINT ARE (FR) (T/Strp, C/pieces) Age: 9; Weight: 10-06; Owner: David Fox; Trainer/probable jockey: Tom George/Paddy Brennan.

25) ACROSS THE BAY (IRE) (Blnkrs, T Strp) Age: 11; Weight: 10-06; Owner: Scotch Piper Syndicate; Trainer/probable jockey: Donald McCain/Henry Brooke.

26) TRANQUIL SEA (IRE) (T Strp) Age: 13; Weight: 10-05; Owner: Jean & Clemmie Shipp; Trainer/probable jockey: Warren Greatrex/Gavin Sheehan.

27) OSCAR TIME (IRE) Age: 14; Weight: 10-05; Owner: Robert Waley-Cohen; Trainer/probable jockey: Robert Waley-Cohen/Mr Sam Waley-Cohen.

28) BOB FORD (IRE) (Hood) Age: 8; Owner: 10-00; Owner: The JJ Partnership; Trainer/probable jockey: Rebecca Curtis/Paul Townend.

29) SUPER DUTY (IRE) Age: 9; Weight: 10-04; Owner: Brannon, Dick, Hernon & Holden; Trainer/probable jockey: Ian Williams/Will Kennedy.

30) WYCK HILL (IRE) (T Strp) Age: 11; Weight: 10-04: Owner: J P McManus; Trainer/probable jockey: David Bridgwater/Tom Cannon.

31) GAS LINE BOY (IRE) Age: 9; Weight:10-04; Owner: Mick Fitzgerald Racing Club; Trainer/probable jockey: Philip Hobbs/James Best.

32) CHANCE DU ROY (FR) (C/pieces) Age: 11; Weight: 10-04: Owner: Daphne Du Pre; Trainer/probable jockey: Philip Hobbs/Tom O'Brien.

33) PORTRAIT KING (IRE) (C/pieces) Age: 10; Weight: 10-03;' Owner: Marie Davis; Trainer/probable jockey: Maurice Phelan IRE/Davy Condon.

34) OWEGA STAR (IRE) (T/Strp) Age: 8'; Weight: 10-03; Owner: Anthony Callan/Siobhan Callan: Trainer/probable jockey: Peter Fahey IRE/Robbie Power.

35) RIVER CHOICE (FR) (Blnkrs, T/Strp) Age: 12; Weight: 10-03; Owner: Fergus Wilson; Trainer/probable jockey: Richard Chotard FR/David Cottin.

36) COURT BY SURPRISE (IRE) Age: 10; Weight: 10-03; Owner: Nick Mustoe; Trainer/probable jockey: Emma Lavelle/Richie McLernon.

37) ALVARADO (IRE) Age: 10; Weight: 10-03;  Owner: William & Angela Rucker Fergal; Trainer/probable jockey: O'Brien/Paul Moloney.

38) SOLL (Blnkrs, T/Strp) Age: 10; Weight: 10-02; Owner: Derrick Mossop; Trainer/probable jockey: David Pipe/Tom Scudamore.

39) ELY BROWN (IRE) (C/pieces) Age: 10; Weight: 10-02; Owner: Countrywide Vehicle Rentals Taxi Hire; Trainer/probable jockey: Charlie Longsdon/Brian Hughes.

40) ROYALE KNIGHT Age: 9; Weight: 10-02; Owner: Chris Stedman & Robert Corsan; Trainer/probable jockey Dr Richard Newland/Brendan Powell.