JUST A PAR may have been pulled up on the second circuit during his tilt at this year's Randox Health Grand National, but trainer James Moffatt had the consolation of a strong finish elsewhere for one of his string on Saturday.

Around one hour and 20 minutes before his 12-year-old was due to run at Aintree, the Pit Farm Stables handler had Altruism lining up for the Navigating Brexit With Vertem Handicap Hurdle175 miles away at Newcastle.

Ridden by Callum Bewley for the second race in a row, the nine-year-old was prominent throughout in the two-mile hurdles race at the Tyneside venue and after being outpaced three out, the former Cumbria Crystal Cup winner at Cartmel rallied at the last to take second.

Having missed all of last year and had a 581-day break before returning in February at Newcastle, it was a promising display from Altruism ahead of the summer jumps campaign.

At Aintree, Just A Par successfully navigated all of the fences asked of him, but was pulled up by jockey Aiden Coleman with three jumps to go after being near the rear of the field.

This year's Grand National saw a piece of history being made as Tiger Roll became the first horse since Red Rum 45 years ago to make it back-to-back victories in the world-famous steeplechase.

Magic Of Light, a 66/1 outsider, was second and Rathvinden third.