DAVID Pipe is likely to be heading to Aintree on Saturday to watch his horse Sidi Ismael run in the 2.05pm Boyle Sports Becher Chase over three miles two furlongs over the Grand National fences

The nine-year-old, who is owned by The Show Is Over Syndicate, will make his debut over the world-famous fences when bidding to give Nicholashayne handler Pipe his third victory in the £150,000 Premier Handicap.

Pipe’s previous two victories in the race were thanks to the now retired Vieux Lion Rouge who won in 2016 and 2020 and finished second in the 2018 contest.

Pipe said: “Some of the lads that own him are from Liverpool and it is a bit of a dream for them to have a runner over the Grand National fences.

“We just thought about doing this at the start of the season as if he takes to them it will be a massive day out for the owners.

“He has been placed in a good few staying chases and I would think he will take to the fences at Aintree.

Pipe added: “He is at the right end of the weights and he will not mind whatever the ground is. He will be an outsider, but he will be a lively outsider.”