All systems still go for Tiger Roll as trainer Gordon Elliott targets Cheltenham Festival

This was dual Randox Grand National hero Tiger Roll in action at Navan.This was dual Randox Grand National hero Tiger Roll in action at Navan.
This was dual Randox Grand National hero Tiger Roll in action at Navan.
connections INSIST that dual Randox Grand National winner Tiger Roll remains on course for next month’s Cheltenham Festival – despite finishing last to Beacon Edge in the Boyne Hurdle at Navan.

Even though the Aintree hero appeared to be travelling smoothly in the slowly-run race, he did not pick up under Keith Donoghue when the pace quickened on the turn for home and he literally climbed over the final flight.

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Record-breaking rider Sir AP McCoy was among those to express disappointment in the run of Tiger Roll who has had a number of slight setbacks since winning his second successive National in 2019.

Owner Michael O’Leary has also said that Tiger Roll may swerve this year’s National – and be retired – because he believes the 11st 9lb handicap mark for the big race is unrealistic.

Tiger Roll, the 2018 and 2019 Randox Grand National iwnner, was a leg-weary last at Navan.Tiger Roll, the 2018 and 2019 Randox Grand National iwnner, was a leg-weary last at Navan.
Tiger Roll, the 2018 and 2019 Randox Grand National iwnner, was a leg-weary last at Navan.

But trainer Gordon Elliott believes there were legitimate excuses for the disappointing run and that the 11-year-old remains on course for the cross-country race at Cheltenham.

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Elliott said: “Keith said he travelled well to the third last, in horrible ground, and just got tired.

“It’s still all systems go for Cheltenham. Keith said he was happy with him, but he just got tired in the ground. He’ll be OK.

“Of course you want him to run better, but he hated that ground.”

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Yet, given Tiger Roll won the Boyne Hurdle en route to Aintree history two years ago, it will not be the greatest surprise if the so-called ‘horse with the heart of a lion’ is now retired.

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