Tiger on a Roll with fifth win at Cheltenham
Jockey thrilled to see doubters proved wrong by classy fifth Festival success
TIGER Roll roared back to life at the place he adores most when securing his fifth Cheltenham Festival success in sensational fashion under Keith Donoghue.
It looked like the people’s horse was nearing retirement after a string of off-colour displays, but the 9/2 shot bounced back in stunning fashion to land his third Cross Country Chase and avenge last year’s defeat to Easysland (Evens favourite) by 18 lengths.
Others questioned whether the 11-year-old was over the hill, but Donoghue never lost faith in the dual Aintree Grand National winner, which holds a special place in his heart after combining for their third Festival success.
“I was in control of the race after halfway, he was in his comfort zone, and when Tiger comes alive, you don’t take him back. We had the faith. We always knew what this horse could show, and there’s no better horse than Tiger Roll to silence the doubters,” he said.
Donoghue insisted there’s “no better feeling in the world” before detailing what Tiger Roll means to him and the sacrifices the 27-year-old has made to maintain the partnership, given his lanky 6ft frame and his ongoing battle with the weighing scales.
“If it wasn’t for this horse I wouldn’t be alive, it’s as simple as that. It was pure emotion as this horse has been brilliant for me and a lot of people,” an emotional Donoghue said.
“For me alone, I do a lot of work with my weight. I run 70, 80, 90km every week. Just to be riding Tiger Roll, these opportunities don’t come around too often.”
His Skyrne GAA clubmate Paddy O’rourke confirmed that toil following the fairytale win, taking to Twitter to say: “Get up the rail ya boya @donoghue_ keith. The sacrifices, the running, the hard work, sweating, no man deserves it more.”
The name of Denise Foster may be beside Tiger Roll after a tumultuous few weeks at Cullentra, but Gordon Elliott deserves huge credit for his crucial role in bringing one of jump racing’s biggest stars back from the brink.
“Without everyone at Cullentra House, and obviously they’re running in Sneezy’s name today, but without Gordon I wouldn’t be in this situation. He’s an unbelievable man, it’s just great to be part of his team,” Donoghue added of Elliott.
“There’s nobody hurting any more than Gordon is and thankfully the whole team are doing him proud so hopefully we can keep it going for him.”
Tiger Roll’s bid for a hat-trick in the Aintree showpiece is off the table, however, with owners Gigginstown House Stud pulling him out of the world’s most famous steeplechase because they believed his handicap mark was unfair and their opinion has not altered.
Racing manager Eddie O’leary said: “What a fantastic horse, we’re all over the moon. He’s a legend of a horse. There was a rush to retire this horse earlier in the season, but he’s a Cross Country horse, that’s what he is.
“We always said we’ll wait to see how he gets on over the Cross Country fences once more. To win at five Festivals is amazing, what a horse. Aintree is off the agenda and we’ve no regrets about that.
“Both him and Easysland are rated too highly. He is rated the equal of our Gold Cup horse, Delta Work, and we know he’s not as good. It’s going to be hard to retire him after that, now, and he loves racing in any case.
“He’ll probably have to run at Punchestown in the Grade One, where he will probably prove he is nowhere near a 166-rated horse, and it is a pity we have to do that.
“Cross Country racing got this horse back after he had completely lost his way.”