Murphy had the choice between riding The Package or last year’s runner-up – both of whom are from the David Pipe yard – but has elected to stay loyal to the 2008 winner.

Graham Lee, also a former Grand National winner, will ride The Package.

David Johnson, who owns both horses, told At The Races: “Timmy Murphy will ride Comply Or Die. I’ve just been speaking to him and I told him it’s make your mind up time, so he’s decided to stay with Comply Or Die.

“It doesn’t surprise me as he’s come first and second for the last two years and it’s very hard to get off that.

“Graham (Lee) will ride The Package and he was very pleased with him the other day.

“I think they’ve both got big chances, but it’s a very tough race and every horse in the race has a chance.”

Comply Or Die has only been seen twice since finishing second behind Mon Mome 12 months ago.

He is due to shoulder 11st 5lb in this year’s renewal of the world’s greatest steeplechase.

The Package, who will carry 10st 7lb, was last in action at the Cheltenham Festival, where he was narrowly touched off in the William Hill Trophy.

Murphy has had two fantastic rides around Aintree aboard Comply Or Die but he will carry more weight than The Package, who closed to within a head of Chief Dan George in last month’s William Hill Trophy.

Chester Barnes, assistant to trainer David Pipe, told www.davidpipe.com: “There is still no decision just yet as to which horse Timmy Murphy will ride in the Grand National.

“It is a very hard decision to make. Do you ride Comply Or Die, a previous winner and runner-up of the biggest race in the world, or do you go for talented The Package, who was runner-up at the Festival last month but obviously making his debut over the larger fences?

“A seven-year-old has not won the Grand National since 1940 and although it is a very good choice to have, it is also a very hard one.”

Our Vic

David Pipe is considering giving John Smith’s Grand National hopefuls Our Vic and Comply Or Die one more outing before Aintree.

Our Vic claimed a second-placed finish under the steadier of 11st 12lb to Silver By Nature in the Blue Square Gold Cup at Haydock on Saturday to cement his superb form this season.

Somerset handler Pipe believes the 12-year-old will benefit from a turn at Cheltenham ahead of the world’s most famous steeplechase in April.
Amazing

“He’s fine and was out in the field on Sunday,” said Pipe.

“It was a great performance under top weight for a 12-year-old. Monet’s Garden put up a great performance at Ascot and Our Vic’s at Haydock was just behind It’s been amazing for the old horses, the old boys are the best boys. Our Vic will go to Cheltenham next I imagine, but I’m not sure what for at the present moment. We’ll have him in a few races there.”

Comply Or Die, who won the 2008 Grand National before coming in behind winner Mon Mome last year, has only had one run since April, at Cheltenham over hurdles in November.

And although another outing is an option, Pipe would not be concerned if the 11-year-old heads straight to Aintree.

“He may have one run before the National or he may go straight there,” added Pipe. He’s got a couple of options, not very much, but it wouldn’t be a concern if he went straight to the National.”