DAVID Pipe is hoping to join the premier league of racehorse trainers who have won the Grand National more than once when this year's race takes place at Aintree on Saturday, April 4.

Pipe, who took over the reins at Pond House Stable at Nicholashayne on the Devon and Somerset border from his father Martin back in May, 2006, had a tough act to follow but since then has shown that he is more than a capable successor to the man who lifted the champion trainer's prize on 14 occasions.

Minnehoma became the stables first Grand National winner back in 1994 so when Comply or Die won 14 years later, the Pipes became the first father and son to have trained winners of the world's best known race since Fred and Tom Rimell.

Now Pipe junior is hoping to go one better when Comply or Die attempts to become the first horse to win back-to-back Nationals since the legendary Red Rum in 1974.

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