Timmy Murphy to ride Comply Or Die in Grand National

Timmy Murphy will partner Comply Or Die in the John Smith's Grand National at Aintree on Saturday. Murphy had the choice between riding The Package or last year's runner-up - both of whom are from the David Pipe yard - but has elected to stay loyal to the 2008 winner. Graham Lee, also a former Grand National winner, will ride The Package. David Johnson, who owns both horses, told At The Races: "Timmy Murphy will ride Comply Or Die. I've just been speaking to him and I told him it's make your mind up time, so he's decided to stay with Comply Or Die. It doesn't surprise me as he's come first and second for the last two years and it's very hard to get off that. "Graham will ride The Package and he was very pleased with him the other day. I think they've both got big chances, but it's a very tough race and every horse in the race has a chance." Comply Or Die has only been seen twice since finishing second behind Mon Mome 12 months ago. He is due to shoulder 11st 5lb in this year's renewal of the world's greatest steeplechase. The Package, who will carry 10st 7lb, was last in action at the Cheltenham Festival, where he was narrowly touched off in the William Hill Trophy. Meanwhile, trainer Paul Murphy is praying Cerium makes the final cut for Saturday's big race. The nine-year-old is one of five horses allotted 10st 5lb for the world's most famous steeplechase but official British Horseracing Authority ratings mean he remains outside the final 40. To make the situation worse, Cerium lost out in a ballot between himself and 2007 winner Silver Birch, who are both officially rated 133, which means Silver Birch is currently 41st on the list and Cerium is 42nd. "We really just need the one to come out as I can pull Mr Pointment out if I have to," said Murphy. "Cerium was fifth in the race last year and is obviously our main hope, he's a nine-year-old now as well so he's the ideal age. "Everything seems to be very quiet at the moment and I've no idea whether one is going to come out or not, we're just going to have to pray." Cerium's amazing performance 12 months ago was given even more merit considering he returned home with a fractured skull.