b g Old Vic - Madam Madcap (Furry Glen)
Originally trained by David's father Martin, Comply Or Die posted an easy victory on his racecourse debut in a novices' hurdle at Taunton on October, 2003. After another comfortable win in a similar event, Comply Or Die stepped up to Graded company and followed a good second in the Grade Two Persian War Novices' Hurdle at Chepstow with a convincing three-length victory in the Grade Two Tripleprint Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham in December, 2003. A good first season finished with a sound fifth behind Fundamentalist in the Grade One Ballymore Properties Novices' Hurdle at the Festival in March, 2004. Having started his chasing career with a victory at Bangor and a second behind Ollie Magern at Cheltenham, Comply Or Die took the spoils in the Grade Two Rising Stars Novices' Chase at Wincanton in November, 2004. Comply Or Die returned to the Cheltenham Festival in March, 2005, finishing second behind Trabolgan in the Grade One Royal & SunAlliance Chase, before being pulled up in the Scottish Grand National the following month. He finished the 2004/05 season with a creditable sixth in the Betfred Gold Cup, before beginning his second season chasing with a good fourth, again behind Trabolgan, in the Grade Three Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup at Newbury. Comply Or Die's season was cut short after suffering a setback in the Coral Welsh National, and it was nearly two years before he saw a racecourse again. Lining up in a handicap chase at Cheltenham in October, 2007, Comply Or Die lacked race fitness and finished a weary 16th. The gelding also disappointed on his next run when pulled up in the Grade Three Servo Computers Services Trophy Handicap Chase at Cheltenham on November 17. The application of blinkers produced a far better display in the Tommy Whittle Handicap Chase at Haydock on December 22, and Comply Or Die ran his best race for several years when finishing second behind John Smith's Grand National favourite Cloudy Lane. Racing over a marathon extended four miles in the Eider Chase at Newcastle on February 23, Comply Or Die showed that he would have the stamina necessary for the John Smith's Grand National with a brilliant eight-length victory, despite being burdened with top-weight.
Race Record: Starts: 19; Wins: 7; 2nd: 4; 3rd: 0; Win & Place Prize Money: £156,385
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AINTREE GRAND NATIONAL 2008
