ENGLISH GRAND NATIONAL

First off, it didn't rain.

Secondly, Comply Or Die produced a gutsy jumping display to win the $1.59 million Grand National at Aintree and hand a first success in the famous steeplechase to jockey Timmy Murphy and trainer David Pipe on Saturday near Liverpool.

The 7-1 well-backed joint favorite triumphed by four lengths from King Johns Castle (20-1), ridden by Paul Carberry, with Snowy Morning (16-1) a further length-and-a-half back in third after the four-and-a-half mile marathon over 30 fences. (Sound familiar?) Forty horses started the race.

Irishman Murphy, 33, was always going well on Comply Or Die and pushed him into the lead at the last of 30 fences. The nine-year-old then readily held off his pursuers to give Murphy his first National win in 12 attempts.

“I can’t believe it yet, it’s the best ride I’ve ever had over these fences,” Murphy told BBC Television.

“I just got into a lovely rhythm and he jumped fantastic."

“You can never rest on your laurels in the National, riding over those fences," said Murphy. "I just concentrated on getting over every single one, I got over the last and then it’s a long way home."