Tiger joins the Roll of honour
EVERY Grand National has a back story but Tiger Roll’s is a richer tale than most who have graced the Aintree winner’s enclosure.
The son of Derby winner Authorized started life with Sheikh Mohammed, an owner not known for his love of the jumping game.
In fact, he never raced in the Sheikh’s famous maroon-and-white colours and was sold on to National-winning jockey Nigel Hawke, who had a 100 per cent record with the gelding – one race over hurdles and one win at Market Rasen – before the horse was on the move again.
This time he was bought by Michael O’Leary’s Gigginstown Stud operation for £80,000 and joined his current trainer Gordon Elliott.
In just his second run for the County Meath-based operation he won the Triumph Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival, a race considered a speed test for young hurdlers.
Now, four years later, Tiger Roll, who started at 10-1, was winning the Grand National over a trip more than twice as long as the Triumph’s two miles, one furlong.
Ridden by Davy Russell, Tiger Roll held on by a fastdiminishing head to beat Pleasant Company and Danny Mullins, who had won the big race for O’Leary on Rule The World two years ago.
Another two or three strides would have denied Tiger Roll.
For Russell, one of the legends of the racing game, it was an emotional win coming only a few weeks after the death of his mother Phyllis and the news that fellow jockey Pat Smullen had been diagnosed with cancer. After his heart-stopping win Russell, the oldest rider in the race at 38, revealed that thoughts of his mother and Flat jockey Smullen were uppermost in his mind once the result had been confirmed.
It was a measure of the man that only moments after claiming the biggest victory of his career, he said: “This one is for Pat Smullen. I was speaking to him the other morning and he’s as tough as nails.”
With Pleasant Company second, Bless The Wings third and Anibale Fly fourth, it was a 1-2-3-4 for Irish-trained runners.
Bryony Frost, who finished fifth on Milansbar, said: “I’m so proud of him. Everyone is in tears washing him down there. I hope he’s dreaming as well as I am tonight.”
Saint Are was expected back at Tom George’s yard yesterday after the veteran had a “comfortable night” at Aintree following his fall.
The 12-year-old, who was placed in the 2015 and 2017 Nationals, was brought down at the Chair in what was his fifth appearance in the race.
After being treated on the track, he was taken to the stables for further assessment and George was pleased to provide an upbeat report on his well-being yesterday.
“He had a good, comfortable night,” the Slad-based trainer said. “They looked after him well at Aintree.
“His lad stayed up with him and the vets checked him every few hours. He’s eaten his breakfast and he’s ready to come home. It’s very good news.
“He walked out brighter this morning. I just think he was a bit shaken.”
Saturday was a day of mixed fortunes for George as he had been on a high following the victory of Black Op earlier in the afternoon. ❑MARKET RASEN, the scene of Tiger Roll’s first success, announced yesterday they will rename a bar at the course in honour of the Grand National winner.