JOHN Smith’s Grand National winner Comply Or Die will be aimed at defending his crown next year, but connections know it will be a difficult task.
Most bookmakers quote the nine-year-old at 20-1 to retain his crown, but for now connections are still revelling in Saturday’s success.
The David Pipe-trained gelding was given a hero’s welcome back at his Nicholashayne home yesterday, as all at Pond House joined in the celebrations. Under jockey Timmy Murphy, the 7-1 joint favourite came home four lengths ahead of Kings Johns Castle to give Pipe his first win in the world’s greatest steeplechase in only his second season since taking over at the yard from father Martin.
The horse returned to his stable late on Saturday evening. When shown off to the waiting media yesterday, the stables’ last National winner, Minnehoma who was trained by Pipe’s father Martin in 1994, had been moved next door to keep him company. Pipe, his father Martin, mother Carole, groom Eileen Defew and last year’s winning trainer Gordon Elliott – a friend and former jockey at the stable – as well as owner David Johnson were on hand to toast the success. Winning jockey Murphy was not, though, as he had to ride at Southwell.
Pipe said: “I was up at 6.45am, but I don’t think I have sobered up yet and I don’t think I want to sober up as my head will feel bad!
“All five of our runners came back fine. Comply didn’t quite eat up last night, but that is usual for him as he can be picky after his races.
“He is full of it today, though, and he’ll probably have a busier day than yesterday! We’ll now gradually let him down and aim to bring him back for next year. It would be fantastic to go to Aintree again, but it will be difficult as he will be higher in the weights.
“It has been great for the whole team. It might be my name above the door, but it is about the whole team. My mother is the real boss, dad is a great assistant and Comply’s owner David Johnson is very supportive.”
Pipe senior added: “I enjoy getting involved when we win and this is a great thrill. You wouldn’t believe how excited and proud I am. We texted everyone to tell them to back him at 25-1 (ante-post) as he shouldn’t have been that price on his form with Cloudy Lane.”
Owner Johnson, who was winning his first National, said: “It has been a fairytale since he won at 4.30pm yesterday and I still haven’t come down to earth.”
