Timmy Murphy celebrates
Comply Or Die landed a hefty gamble to win the John Smith's Grand National for trainer David Pipe and rider Timmy Murphy.
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Pipe's nine-year-old was sent off the well-backed 7-1 joint-favourite and was always travelling kindly as Murphy settled him into an excellent rhythm over the daunting Aintree fences.
Comply Or Die was moving ominously well from some way out but an ice-cool Murphy waited until after the last before asking his mount to put his seal on the race.
Seeing out the trip well, he powered on to see off King Johns Castle (20-1) by four lengths, while Snowy Morning and Slim Pickings took third and fourth respectively.
Rarely can so many horses have been in contention as the field approached the final few fences in the four-and-a-half-miler.
Having gone only a sensible pace, a number of the leading players, including Comply Or Die, Slim Pickings, Bewleys Berry and Chelsea Harbour, were all moving well with four to jump.
While King Johns Castle was just hacking in behind, it soon became apparent that Comply Or Die was the one going best of all as he jumped the penultimate obstacle alongside Snowy Morning.
But Murphy was keen not to push the button too soon and sat still until going for home on the famous run to the Elbow.
At that point, Snowy Morning, who blundered at the last, looked to be staging a renewed effort as King Johns Castle also put his best foot forward.
However, Comply or Die was very game in front and picked up when required to see off the Arthur Moore-trained contender, who was bidding to become the first grey to win the race since Nicolaus Silver triumphed in 1961.
Murphy, winning the race at the 12th attempt, told BBC Sport: "I can't believe it yet, it's the best ride I've ever had over these fences. He got into a lovely rhythm and he jumped fantastic, he picked up again when Paul (Carberry, on King Johns Castle) came at me.
"It's not sunk in, I'm delighted for David Pipe and my boss David Johnson (owner), it's a race he's always wanted to win."
An emotional Pipe said: "I can't really describe it. Gordon Elliott trained last year's winner and is a good friend, he was one of the first to come and congratulate me.
"It's great for everyone, for the whole team. We couldn't do any of it without them. I've had a great teacher in my father (Martin), David Johnson has been brilliant and Timmy gave him a fantastic ride. There's no feeling like it."
Pipe's father Martin was full of praise for the achievement of his son.
"It took me a lifetime to win the race and David's done it well already," he said. "Someone told me I must have trained two other National winners as I trained Gordon Elliott and David!"
Winning owner Johnson added: "I've probably run 20 in it before and it's a thrill. Timmy did nothing wrong and it was a typical Timmy ride really, he showed how good he really is."
Moore said of King Johns Castle: "He's run an absolute blinder. Paul always had the winner in his sights, but the other horse just went away.
Willie Mullins, trainer of Snowy Morning, said: "He'll be trained specifically for this race next year.
"That was a good advertisement for the National with so many horses finishing like that. He's very hardy and we might well take him to Punchestown now. Hedgehunter just didn't seem himself today."
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