AFTER coming so close to becoming the first horse since Red Rum to win a second John Smith’s Grand National, connections of Saturday’s runner-up Comply Or Die are already planning for another chance to create history.

Having landed the Aintree showpiece 12 months ago, the David Pipe-trained 10-year-old almost emulated Red Rum’s back-to-back successes 35 years ago despite a 15lb higher mark this time.

Once again under Timmy Murphy Comply Or Die jumped and travelled well on the outside, but despite contesting the lead at the last, he came home 12 lengths behind the impressive Mon Mome.

Back at his Pond House stables yesterday, Pipe reported his star to be recovering well from his exertions and they are already plotting a return to Aintree in 12 months time.

Pipe said: “We were obviously over the moon with him and it was probably the most we could have asked for really as he has absolutely ran his heart out. He was 15lb higher than he was last year but there was a moment there at the second-last when I thought we might just do it again but Mon Mome quickened away from us in the end.

“His form was not great earlier in the season but the yard was not in form either and I think he was just saving a bit for himself.

“The blinkers obviously help him and he just loves it round Aintree. He was pretty tired after the race but he is fine this morning, which is the main thing. He looks a million dollars and will be turned out in the field later on today.

“I imagine that will be it for the season and we will sit down and digest things before we make a plan for next year, but hopefully we will be heading back to Aintree.”

A further length and a quarter back in third was the Paul Nicholls-trained My Will under Ruby Walsh.