Berlais a National possible

Trainer David Pipe hasn't ruled Madison Du Berlais out of the John Smith's Grand National.

The conqueror of Denman at Kempton on Saturday, his charge has been given 11st 8lb in the Aintree showpiece.

"Madison could run in the Racing Post Chase but that is very unlikely. He will go to Cheltenham and then we will see about the National," Pipe said.

"I obviously didn't think we would beat Denman, especially in the style that he did, and thought we would possibly be second.

"I am sure we didn't see the true Denman on Saturday but it was still a good performance and he is still young and improving.

"He has a lot of weight in the National but the race seems to be staged for horses higher up the handicap so it is not out of the question."

One Pipe horse definitely heading to Aintree is last year's winner Comply Or Die.

He has failed to fire in two outings this season but could run at Haydock at the weekend.

"Comply Or Die has been disappointing this season but we had a quiet spell at the time he ran and his homework has been as good as ever," the trainer said.

"Last year the blinkers brought about a lot of improvement and I hope that is the same again.

"I wasn't surprised with his first run back but I was disappointed with his second. The stable are running better now and I hope he will go back and run a good race."