Elliott delighted with Leopardstown gallop for Tiger Roll
Jockey Davy Russell jumps the last fence on Tiger Roll on his way to winning the Grand National horse race on the final day of the Grand National Festival at Aintree Racecourse in Liverpool, northern England on April 14, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / PAUL ELLIS @SCANPIX
2020 Randox Health Grand National favourite Tiger Roll was given a racecourse gallop at Leopardstown on Monday morning and his trainer Gordon Elliott has reported he was in good form in that piece of work.
Tiger Roll was in the same group as Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle favourite Envoi Allen at the Irish track. That is thought to be one of his last workouts before an appearance in the Cross Country Chase at next week?s Cheltenham Festival.
Elliott is really pleased with what Tiger Roll showed on the track and is confident the horse is fully prepared for his shot at a fourth Festival success.
He said: “I was delighted with Tiger Roll. Lisa (O’Neill) rode him and everything went well so it’s all systems go for the cross-country.
“At this stage, they are all just ticking over ahead of Cheltenham but we needed to get a good blow into Tiger and I’m delighted by what he did there. I couldn’t be happier.”
Tiger Roll on the prowl for third Cross Country win
It has not been an ideal preparation for Tiger Roll this season. A number of setbacks meant he could not make his seasonal reappearance until the Boyne Hurdle at Navan last month.
It is now all systems go, however, as he performed modestly well in that Grade Two contest, finishing fifth in a strong hurdles race won by Cracking Smart.
Tiger Roll is expected to shine in the Cross Country again as it is a race he has dominated over the last couple of years. The 3m6f contest is the most unique at the Festival so C&D form is really helpful.
The bookmakers make him an evens favourite for the race which is scheduled on day two of the meeting and he is one of the shortest priced favourites across the week.
History seeker set to carry top weight alone
Tiger Roll will now carry the top weight of 11st-10lb alone as Delta Work has withdrawn from the world’s most famous steeplechase. He is 2lb higher than the next in the weights, Bristol De Mai.
There was some concern earlier this season that Tiger Roll would not attempt to make history by lining up in the Grand National field. To the relief of his supporters, his connections gave him the green light in February to race in the Aintree feature.
Only one horse has ever won three Grand Nationals and that is Red Rum. He achieved the feat with victories in 1973, 1974 and 1977. Impressively, he also finished runner-up twice in the race.
No horse has been able to win off top weight in the marathon race since Red Rum recorded his third win 43 years ago. Tiger Roll will have 13lb more on his back this time so he is going to need a career best performance to win.
The hat-trick seeker is 5/1* in the Grand National betting but those odds could shorten further if he impresses once again in the Cross Country Chase next week.
*Odds subject to change.
