Pipe´s jockey plans

Martin Pipe was playing 'jockey-searching' today (Wednesday) as he tried to fill in the gaps for what now looks like being his 'magnificent seven' for Saturday´s Martell Cognac Grand National at Aintree.

Pipe´s latest booking was Andrew Thornton for 2002 attheraces Gold Cup winner Bounce Back, and the champion trainer confirmed Tony McCoy for Jurancon II, Jimmy McCarthy for Blowing Wind and Danny Howard for Puntal.

Declaring his Kim Muir Trophy winner Maximize as 'doubtful', Pipe said: 'We have yet to sort out jockeys for Lord Atterbury and Akarus, while Iznogoud is also entered for Friday´s Topham Trophy and we have not made our mind up which route he takes.'

Pipe was delighted to secure the services of Thornton, who finished fourth on St Mellion Fairway in the race six years ago, while another jockey 'tickled pink' to get a ride was Noel Fehily, who has been snapped up by Mouse Morris for the mount on Alcapone.

Morris said: 'I tried for Paul Flynn and Jason Maguire, but both have to go to Hereford, so we had to think again. Noel is a good horseman and I´m pleased to have got him.'

The Martell Cognac Grand National is the one race to have eluded McCoy, and success on Jurancon would erase all the pain that he has suffered this season.

McCoy, appearing on ITV´s ´Des and Mel´ lunchtime show, is still feeling the after effects of his horrific pre-Cheltenham fall.

He said: 'My lip, nose and the top of my cheek are still numb, but I am sure that I´ll feel the excitement should the impossible happen and the 3lb rise in the weights means that I won´t have to sweat.'