CLAINES trainer Dr Richard Newland will consider calling it a day with 2014 Crabbie’s Grand National winner Pineau De Re if he fails to sparkle ahead of his intended comeback in the Becher Chase.

Although the 12-year-old is being trained for the Grade Three handicap chase at Aintree on December 5, Newland has made it clear he will only run him again if he is showing the right signs.

The Worcestershire handler said: “Pineau De Re is back in training but we are just going to have to feel our way with him as I’m not certain whether he will be able to take the training programme for the National again.

“We will train him for the Becher Chase but he is now that bit older and just getting that bit stiffer in his joints.

“It’s undecided what we will do at this stage but it might be that he has had enough.

“He doesn’t owe us anything and if we can’t make the Becher Chase, then that would be it and we would probably knock it on the head.”

The French-bred horse has enjoyed seven wins from 39 outings over the jumps but will be remembered for the shock Grand National win at Aintree when priced at 25-1.

The Newland-trained five-year-old No Win No Fee finished seventh in the At The Races Maiden Hurdle at Newton Abbot today under jockey Will Kennedy despite starting as the 3-1 favourite.

Significant Move (5-2) was third at Uttoxeter yesterday in the Pirelli Stadium’s 10th Anniversary Handicap Hurdle with Christopher Ward.

With few National Hunt meets about, Newland’s last winner was on July 18 with Gran Maestro (16-1) in the Betfred TV Summer Hurdle (Listed Handicap) at Market Rasen.