Tiger goes for a virtual hat-trick
TIGER ROLL will get a shot at the 2020 Grand National after all – the virtual version on Saturday week.
Gordon Elliott’s superstar, denied an attempt at Aintree immortality by the coronavirus pandemic, will also have an ITV faceoff with the only horse to have won the National three times – the legendary 1974, 1975 and 1977 hero Red Rum – in a computer-generated imagery Race Of Champions
Eleven days ago, bosses at Aintree announced the cancellation of the threeday Randox Health Grand National fixture, which had been due to start next Thursday.
The move robbed Tiger Roll, who denied Pleasant Company by a head in 2018 before a two-and-three-quarter-length margin over the mare Magic Of Light 12 months ago, of his bid for immortality.
But ITV viewers will get the chance to see Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary’s 10-year-old in virtual action against 39 opponents. “I’d rather that we were going for the real thing, but if it keeps people amused then I’m all for it,” said Elliott.
“I just hope that we are in a situation where Tiger Roll will be able to go to Aintree for the Randox Health Grand National in 12 months’ time to try and win it again.”
ITV won the rights to show the Aintree spectacular in 2017, and has broadcast a virtual National for the past three years. With the 2020 National having fallen to the COVID-19 crisis – plans are taking shape for the CGI version to be shown on ITV in the slot made vacant by its cancellation – at 4.15pm next Saturday.
Elliott’s Cause Of Causes won the virtual National in 2017, before Tiger Roll scored 12 months on.
But the title-holder was narrowly denied the follow-up when a fastfinishing second to Rathvinden in 2019.