TIMMY MURPHY thinks 2008 John Smith’s Grand National winner Comply Or Die is back on a reasonable mark to make an impact on this year’s Aintree showpiece.

Murphy will again partner the David Pipe-trained 12-year-old having won the Aintree marathon with him in 2008, then finished second in 2009 and 12th last year.

Although he is not getting any younger and is a 50-1 chance with most bookmakers, Murphy thinks with just 10st8lb to carry he has a decent chance of running well again. The Irish jockey said: “He’s come down to a reasonable mark now again. It’s taken two years since he won at Aintree.

“He ran a good race in Warwick the time before last and then he went back for the Eider and again the ground was terrible that day. He had 11st12lb and it proved too much for him.

“He likes a bit of nice ground and if it had been nice ground that day, I think he would have run a nice race and we would be a bit more positive going to Aintree.

“He’s in great form and he will love the ground. He’s been round there before and it’s fingers crossed.”

Trainer Henrietta Knight is looking forward to Calgary Bay running in the Grand National.

The eight-year-old is a best-priced 33-1 with most firms and the West Lockinge handler reported his preparation to be spot on ahead of the big race a week on Saturday.

Knight said: “He’s very well. Everything’s going fine in his preparation for the Grand National.”

Another National hopeful, Surface To Air, was taken around the Lincolnshire countryside by his trainer Chris Bealby yesterday.

The 10-year-old is on course for the Aintree showpiece, but still needs five horses above him in the handicap to come out before he can get a run.

A winner of the Summer National in June 2008, he only made his return to action at Market Rasen earlier this month following tendon problems.

If he makes the cut Surface To Air – who is a best-priced 66-1 with Coral, Stan James, Skybet and bet365 – will be Bealby’s first runner in the Grand National.

And the Grantham-based handler said: “He’s enjoyed the sunshine and he’ll do another bit of work on Wednesday. Everything’s going as it should, touch wood.

“He needed that first run back after nearly three years off the track. Obviously he didn’t have the speed to cope with those hurdlers on a sharp track, but staying is what it’s all about with him.

“Hopefully it will be a different matter at Aintree. It will be great to get there really as he’s had tendon trouble on and off since he won the Summer National.

“It has been difficult as it’s been so dry everywhere, but he jumps twice a week over various obstacles.

“We haven’t as yet jumped an Aintree-style one, but we’ve got own fences that are full size. We might just chuck a bit of fir tree and birch on. He’s a good jumper and enjoys it.

“He’s an intelligent horse and seems to take to most things we ask him to do. The plan is for Tom Messenger to ride him. He usually does but Noel Fehily won the Summer National on him as Tom was suspended. He rides him at least one day a week at home.”

TODAY’S NAP: Miakora (2.10pm Lingfield).