Crossword Genius

Perhaps pine to get to end of a popular racecourse (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

aintree

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'racecourse' is the definition.
(horseracing venue in Liverpool)

'perhaps pine to get to end of a popular' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite see how this works, but
'a' is within the answer.
'popular' could be 'in' ('in' can mean trendy) and 'in' is found in the answer.
The remaining letters 'tree' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't see.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for aintree that I've seen before include "place for horse racing" , "Liverpool race course" , "Here they run" , "Grand National course" , "Liverpool racecourse" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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