ROLL’S REIGN OVER
Tiger denied Grand National hat-trick bid
TIGER ROLL will not bid for a third victory in the Randox Grand National at Aintree next month, owners Gigginstown House Stud have announced.
The 11-year-old became the first horse since Red Rum in the 1970s to win back-to-back renewals of the world’s most famous steeplechase in 2018 and 2019.
The news is also the latest bodyblow to Gordon Elliott, who trained him to his two National victories.
Although Elliott wouldn’t have been able to be with him at Aintree next month as he is banned from training at all British racecourses due to the “dead horse” scandal, Tiger Roll could have run under the care of an alternative trainer.
The coronavirus pandemic robbed Tiger Roll’s connections of the chance to emulate Red Rum by claiming a third National success 12 months ago – and owner Michael O’Leary and his brother Eddie have warned on several occasions that he would not line up in this year’s renewal if they felt he was unfairly treated by the handicapper.
Tiger Roll was given a mark of 166 when the weights were unveiled last month and ahead of the latest scratchings stage yesterday, Gigginstown confirmed he will now not be running at Aintree.
A spokesperson for the owners said: “Despite his pretty obvious decline over the past two years since winning the 2019 Grand National, the handicapper has given him a mark of 166.
“We believe this is patently unfair, unjustified and does not reflect the horse’s age or his form over the past two seasons.”
Tiger Roll’s immediate future could see him bid once more for the Cheltenham Festival’s cross-country race or the Irish Grand National, with retirement expected to follow at the end of the current season.