Party as winning horse comes home

Comply or Die and Minnehoma completed a lap of honour

It seemed like everyone wanted to join the party in the village home of the winner of the 2008 Grand National Comply or Die.

Neighbours, friends and family came out in force to celebrate while Comply or Die acknowledged his fans with a lap of honour around Nicholashayne, Devon.

David Pipe has followed in his father's footsteps by training a winner of the world famous steeplechase.

Martin Pipe trained Minnehoma - the winner of the 1994 race.

Comply or Die was the joint favourite in Saturday's race and held off a strong challenge from King Johns Castle to take victory by four lengths at Aintree.

Mum's the real boss David Pipe, Comply or Die's trainer

Irish jockey Timmy Murphy rode the nine-year-old for his first Grand National win after 11 previous attempts.

"Lots of hard work by everyone has gone in to it - and a fantastic horse," said David Pipe, paying tribute to his parents.

"It's all about teamwork - Mum's the real boss and Dad's the best assistant anyone could ask for."

David's mother Carol, now both the mother and the wife of a Grand National winning trainer, said seeing her son's horse win evoked a different sort of pride.

Friends, neighbours and family all came out to celebrate

"It's just more satisfying I think, because we were doing a job together Martin and I and now David's done it - I just can't believe it.

"You never think your sons can do it, do you?"

Minnehoma also joined the party at Pond House in Nicholashayne, on the border with Somerset, and as the Champagne flowed friends, family and neighbours mingled in the stable yard.

"We're absolutely delighted," said one neighbour John Paramore.

"Most of the horses come past our house at least once a day. I'm not really into horse racing but it was brilliant to watch yesterday."

And as the party wore on the reality of the win - in only David's second year as a trainer - began to sink in.

"Everyone in racing wants to do this," he said.

"It's just a dream come true."

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