St Pirran bids for notable double St Pirran and Ground Ball, first and second respectively in the Grand Annual Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, renew rivalry in a 14-strong field for Thursday´s Grade 3 Martell Cognac Red Rum Chase at Aintree, for which the runners were declared at the 48-hour stage today (Tuesday).One of the highlights of the opening day of the Martell Cognac Grand National meeting, the £65,000 Red Rum over two miles features what promises to be a series of head-to-head clashes between Paul Nicholls and Martin Pipe, who are locked in an enthralling duel for this season´s trainers championship.Besides St Pirran, who proved too strong up the Cheltenham hill for Ground Ball, winning by two and a half lengths, but is now 4lb worse off with the Charlie Swan-trained runner, Nicholls is also represented by Armaturk, who, on 11st 12lb, is co-topweight with the Pipe-trained Golden Alpha, who will be attempting to repeat last year´s win in the race. Tony McCoy again rides Golden Alpha, while Ruby Walsh has remained loyal to St Pirran, leaving Bobby McNally to partner Armaturk, who was so disappointing on tacky ground at Haydock last time.Pipe also has Latalomne in the handicap chase while Simply Gifted who unseated his rider at the second in the Grand Annual, goes again for Jonjo O´Neill and Ei Ei, sixth in the Queen Mother Champion Chase, Paul Webber, looking to win the race for the third time in six years, following Flying Instructor (1999) and Jungli (2000), is also doubly-represented. Tidour, who would probably have finished third in the Irish Independent Arkle at Cheltenham had he not tipped up two out, being accompanied to post by fast-ground trailblazer Duke of Buckingham who has won his last three.
