DAVID PIPE is relishing another Grand National tilt with Comply Or Die but admits life will be much tougher for his stable star at Aintree in 12 months' time.
The nine-year-old barely put a foot wrong over the daunting fences at the weekend and was accorded a hero's reception on his return to Pipe's Pond House base in Somerset.
But the handicapper will now have his say and his days of carrying 10st 9lb
in the world's greatest steeplechase are seemingly long gone.
Pipe, whose father Martin landed the National with the Freddie Starr-owned Minnehoma in 1994, said: "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 of Pond House, too."
His ace bounded off the lorry late on Saturday night, but it was only the following morning, with the sound of corks popping and pink champagne flowing, that the party really kicked in, with messages such as "I loved jumping the National fences" pinned to the winner's box.
Pipe, his father Martin, mother Carole, groom Eileen Defew and Gordon Elliott, friend and winning trainer in the Aintree showpiece last year, were all on hand, but jockey Timmy Murphy missed the occasion to keep the show on the road with two rides at Southwell.
Around 200 people, including numerous television crews, packed into the yard to congratulate the gelding, who happily nibbled away on carrots and polo mints next to the homemade posters which adorned his box, with Minnehoma having been moved into the adjacent box for company.
"We flew back from Aintree and went to the pub before coming back to the yard to welcome the horse back," said Pipe.
"He got a brilliant reception when he got off the lorry and we carried on partying to about 3.30am.
"I was back up at 6.45am. I enjoy getting involved when we win and this is a great thrill.
"You wouldn't believe how excited and proud I am."
After Pipe junior had done the rounds with the TV crews, he went off to meet Comply Or Die's owner, who had flown in by helicopter from his Essex base with his wife Shirley and daughter Lisa.
Johnson did his own batch of interviews before both Comply Or Die and Minnehoma were pulled from their boxes and marched down the main road in the village of Nicholashayne near the town of Wellington.
Pipe's grandmother Betty emerged from her cottage to wish the winning party well, while another Pipe neighbour and former Coronation Street star Amanda Barry also arrived to pass on her congratulations.
Amid all the jubilant scenes, Defew was still nurturing her pride and joy Comply or Die and reported him to be thriving on the attention.
"He is my favourite and he might be everyone else's favourite now," she said.
