past winners

grand national 2008 /

Pipe Confident of Comply Or Die's Chances
04/04/08

In his second season as the master of Pond House, David Pipe will saddle five runner’s in Saturday’s John Smith’s Grand National. His contingent is headed by the David Johnson-owned Comply Or Die, who retained jockey Timmy Murphy will partner.

Comply Or Die
© racing-images.co.uk

Also running in Johnson’s colours will be Vodka Bleu and Joaaci, while Madison Du Berlais and Milan Deux Mille complete the quintet, who will not arrive at Aintree until the morning of the race.

Pipe said: “Comply Or Die is the 10/1 second favourite and comes to Aintree in great form. He’s schooled nicely over the Aintree-style fences at home. He finished second behind Cloudy Lane in the Tommy Whittle at Haydock, beaten two and a half lengths, and he’s 4lb better off with him on Saturday.

“He then went on and won the totesport Eider over four miles and one at Newcastle. He’s bred to jump and stay and, with a bit of luck in running, he could go very close.”

His team of five will be bidding to improve on his record from his first season, when he ran both Puntal and Celtic Son. While the latter was pulled up before the 22nd of the 30 obstacles, veteran Puntal stayed on for eighth place.

He continued: “All five have schooled well at home. Vodka Bleu and Milan Deux Mille have both run in the John Smith’s Topham Chase, so they’ve got some experience over the fences. They’re all old fashioned steeplechasers, which is what you need for a race like this.

“Of the others, Vodka Bleu has a chance at a big price. Timmy (Murphy) was always going to ride him because this race has been mapped out for him for a long time. But, after Comply Or Die’s performance at Newcastle, he decided to swap. You can’t blame him after that performance under top-weight over four miles and one.

“The John Smith’s Grand National is different to what it was a few years ago. There’s one stone, five pounds between top and bottom so it’s a lot more of a compressed handicap nowadays. It’s not so much of a lottery as it used to be, I would say.

“Don’t get me wrong, it’s still a very difficult race to win but maybe the class horse wins the race these days.”

2008 JOHN SMITH’S GRAND NATIONAL LANDMARKS

Jockeys

Youngest jockey: Mr Nick Scholfield (Cornish Sett), 18

Oldest jockey: Mick Fitzgerald (L’Ami), 37

Most successful jockey: Ruby Walsh (Hedgehunter), 2 wins and 3 places from 7 rides

Least successful jockey: Tony McCoy (Butler’s Cabin), 0 wins from 12 rides.

First time jockeys: Aidan Coleman (Mon Mome), David England (Naunton Brook), Johnny Farrelly (Joacci), Paddy Flood (Baily Breeze), Barry Keniry (Kelami), Wilson Renwick (Backbeat), Tom Ryan (Tumbling Dice), Mr Nick Scholfield (Cornish Sett)

Trainers

Oldest trainer: John Spearing (Simon), 67. Francois Doumen FR (L’Ami and Kelami) is also 67 but a month younger.

Youngest trainer: Eoin Doyle IRE (No Full), 29

Most successful trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies (Knowhere, Fundamentalist, Naunton Brook) - 2 wins and 1 place from 25 runners

Least successful trainer: Paul Nicholls - 0 wins from 12

First time trainers: Eoin Doyle IRE (No Full), Dessie Hughes IRE (Black Apalachi), Tom Mullins IRE (Chelsea Harbour), Paul Murphy (Contraband)

Horses

Oldest horses: Hedgehunter and Philson Run, 12

Youngest horses: Milan Deux Mille, Opera Mundi and Turko, 6

Biggest money earner: Hedgehunter £784,593

Smallest earner: Milan Deux Mille £32,429

John Smith’s Grand National placed: Hedgehunter (Won 2005, 2nd 2006), McKelvey (2nd 2007), Slim Pickings (3rd 2007), Philson Run (4th 2007).