The wait for an Irish-trained winner of the Crabbie’s Grand National continues for another year but, as ever, the Aintree spectacular more than lived up to expectations as Pineau De Re recorded a famous success.

Trained in England by Dr Richard Newland, who has just 12 horses under his care, Pineau De Re was quite a familiar face to Irish racegoers as he was previously trained by Philip Fenton for Barry Connell, for whom he won five races between February 2008 and April 2013.

Following his victory in the Ulster National last April, Pineau De Re was bought privately by Newland and not even the wildest optimist could have dreamed that 12 months later he would run out a decisive winner of the world’s most famous race. Interestingly, the 11-year-old was following in the footsteps of the Caughoo who won the Ulster National in 1946 before famously triumphing at 100/1 at Liverpool the following year.

The victory represented a tremendous result for Kildare-born jockey Leighton Aspell, who briefly retired from riding in 2007. Mention must also be made of Double Seven, who fared best of the 10 Irish challengers with a fine third-place finish which was the culmination of remarkable progress that had seen him win the Midlands and Munster Nationals earlier this season.

Staying with Aintree, there wasn’t major Irish representation over the three days but several members of the raiding party made a notable impact. A resurgent Boston Bob, who hasn’t enjoyed the best of luck since winning a Grade 1 at Leopardstown 14 months ago, came back to his very best to claim the Melling Chase for Willie Mullins and Paul Townend.

The previous day, the Dessie Hughes-trained Guitar Pete benefited from a vintage Paul Carberry ride to claim a Grade 1 hurdle which provided further evidence that this year’s crop of Irish juvenile hurdlers are a good bunch. Also on the opening day, Warne struck a notable blow for Northern Irish trainer Brian Hamilton with a pillar-to-post tour de force in the Foxhunters. With both Tammys Hill and Warne hailing from the North, hunter chasing there is enjoying a golden period.

Fairyhouse

On the domestic front, Fairyhouse played host to a cracking jumps card on Sunday where Willie Mullins held sway with a treble. This featured a dominat victory for Adriana Des Mottes in a Grade 1 mares’ hurdle, in which Mullins saddled the first three home, and this very likeable four-year-old has a fine future. The Mullins-trained Arvika Ligeonniere bounced back from an abortive run at Cheltenham to win a Grade 2 chase in commanding style while the stable’s treble was completed by Valseur Lido in a competitive two-mile novice hurdle. Valseur Lido didn’t produce his best when unplaced behind Vautour at Cheltenham but this display showed that he remains a very promising sort.

Elsewhere, Lieutenant Colonel showed that he will be a force in quality events for the coming seasons with a clear-cut win in a good two-and-a-half-miles novice hurdle. His victory capped a fine week for Dessie Hughes, who also won a valuable novice handicap chase with Some Tikket.

Gowran

While the eyes of the racing world were fixed firmly on Aintree, Jim Bolger laid down a notable marker for the coming weeks at Gowran on Saturday where he reeled off a four-timer. This included promising displays from the unraced classic entrants Plamas and Theophilus and both could make their presence felt in much better company in the coming weeks.

Cork

The following afternoon at Cork, Dermot Weld’s excellent early season form continued as he sent out a treble. His newcomer Ebeyina looked a potentially top-notch prospect when landing a mile maiden by some 23 lengths.