Pipe doubles up for a flying start at Cheltenham

Martin Pipe posted an early bid to regain the top trainer's crownat the three-day Cheltenham open meeting with a 11-1 double throughMarcel and Comply Or Die.

Timmy Murphy played a waiting game on Marcel in the Sharp NoviceHurdle before coming home two-and-a-half lengths clear of the fast-finishing Baby Run, ridden by Carl Llewellyn for Cheltenham trainerNigel Twiston-Davies.

"This is another bonus because Marcel was bought in France forDavid Johnson as a future chaser and has now won six over hurdles,"said Pipe, who admitted that he thought the ground may have been toosoft for the four-year-old.

The Nicholashayne maestro struck again as Comply Or Die …