Tiger doubt for Aintree
TIGER ROLL is “long odds-on” to be retired at next month’s Cheltenham Festival – rather than seek Randox Grand National history at Aintree on April 10.
The Gordon Elliott-trained superstar, who carried the colours of Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary to National glory in 2018 and 2019 – Tiger Roll was denied a hat-trick bid by the coronavirus crisis last year – was one of 106 entries published yesterday for the world’s greatest steeplechase.
But a bid to equal the legendary Red Rum’s three Grand National triumphs is unlikely as the 11-year-old’s owner re-ignited a war of words with British Horseracing Authority handicapper Martin Greenwood.
Confirming Tiger Roll to be on target for the Grade Two Ladbrokes Boyne Hurdle at Navan on February 21 before an attempt at a third Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase at Cheltenham on March 17, O’Leary’s brother and racing manager Eddie said: “It’s long odds-on that he’ll be retired in Cheltenham.
“Hopefully, he will get to Cheltenham and we will call it a day there.
“Maybe Cheltenham is the best place to retire him, because he’s a four-time winner in Cheltenham, and he loves the place.”
Tiger Roll’s current BHA rating of 168 remains a bone of contention with the O’Learys.
French-trained Easysland, who also holds a National entry, has a mark of 167 and Eddie O’Leary added: “Easysland beat us 17 lengths in the cross-country chase at Cheltenham last year. “How does he justify that?” Tiger Roll, the 14-1 National favourite, was pulled up at Cheltenham in November, and O’Leary said: “Maybe he had a headache – I couldn’t tell you.”