Cheltenham plan for Comply

Comply Or Die is likely to head for the Cheltenham Festival after connections decided against letting him line up in the Coolfun Grimthorpe Chase at Doncaster this afternoon.

The 10-year-old has been largely disappointing since his Grand National triumph at Aintree last April and trainer David Pipe had hoped to run him in this afternoon’s Town Moor feature before heading back to Merseyside to defend his crown.

However, Pipe has decided not to risk his charge on the prevailing fast ground in Yorkshire and he will now take his chance in the William Hill Trophy at Prestbury Park on Tuesday week.

“We’ve decided against running him as there is no point risking him on fast ground,” said Pipe.

“Tom Scudamore and Timmy Murphy rode up at Doncaster on Friday and they said it had dried out a lot. I thought it might happen and it’s a shame but he’ll probably go to Cheltenham now.

“The ground should be fine there as they will water if it’s too quick.”