Wednesday 31 March 2010

Grand National Update


David Pipe has a strong team assembled for the John Smith's Grand National at Aintree and is likely to top-weight Madison Du Berlais take his chance on Merseyside.

The trainer also has Comply Or Die, The Package, Pablo Du Charmil, Piraya, Faasel and Over The Creek entered in the world's most famous race.

Pipe said: "At the present moment we're leaning towards the National for Madison Du Berlais, but he is in the Scottish National and it makes it very interesting that Denman is likely to run with top weight."

He added: "We will also have him entered at Punchestown and may also enter him for the race he won last year at Aintree (totesport Bowl) as well.

"Piraya will run as well. He needs a few to come out but hopefully he'll get in. Pablo Du Charmil is a possibility as well but we're still waiting to school them over the big fences."

Leading owner David Johnson could be represented by 2008 winner and last year's second Comply Or Die - as well as Cheltenham Festival runner-up The Package. Pipe admits jockey Timmy Murphy, who partnered Comply Or Die in the last two Nationals, has a difficult decision to make.

"They are both in good order and Comply obviously has the form round there, having finished second last year and winning the year before that," the trainer told At The Races.

"The Package is more of an unknown quantity but he ran a great race at Cheltenham and would have won in another five strides. He's due to go up 6lb so he's 6lb well-in in the National.

"You never know whether he's going to stay that marathon trip but with the way he races and the way he jumps, I'd be surprised if he didn't. Comply Or Die is in good form and ran well at Cheltenham. He got tired at the top of the hill but the run has brought him on a lot.

"He's not a horse who does a lot at home but he still shows all the same enthusiasm and I'm sure when he gets to Aintree he'll be lit up. It's a very tough decision for Timmy and I know he's thinking long and hard about it."