ELLIOTT STILL HAS GRAND PLANS FOR TIGER

GORDON ELLIOTT declared it “all systems go for Cheltenham” after Tiger Roll’s Festival tune-up at Navan yesterday.

The dual Grand National hero was sent off at 11-1 for the Grade 2 Ladbrokes Boyne Hurdle, and raced on the outside of the field under Keith Donoghue before weakening in the straight to finish last of six behind Beacon Edge.

Despite the 65-length defeat, Elliott confirmed the 11-year-old on course to bid for a fifth Festival victory in the Glenfarclas

Chase, a race he captured en route to Aintree glory in 2018 and 2019.

“It’s still all systems go for Cheltenham,” said the Co Meath trainer (left).

“Keith said he travelled well to the third last, in horrible ground, and just got tired. Of course you want him to run better, but he hated that ground. He’ll be OK.”

No decision has been made over Tiger Roll’s Aintree participation on April 10, but William Hill pushed him out to 33-1 to match Red Rum’s three Grand National successes.

PIPPED by Brazos in a controversial finish at Navan last month, Folcano should open his account for in-form Gordon Elliott in the 4pm in Fairyhouse.

A ‘point’ winner, Folcano has finished in the frame in each of his three starts over hurdles, a fourth placing behind subsequent graded winner Ashdale Bob at Navan before runner-up finishes against Flaming Maneuver over this course and distance and, most recently, his near miss against Brazos.

Stepping up to two and a half miles today, the six-year-old is difficult to oppose on a day when Elliott (inset) might also land the opening four-year-old maiden for Noel and Valerie Moran with Showbusiness.

This French import failed by a neck to Coltor on his Irish and hurdling bow at Naas and is expected to confirm form with the fifth, Joseph O’brien’s Halifax. And Elliott’s Where It All Began, odds-on when runner-up to Lucky Tenner on his debut in Limerick over Christmas, sets the standard in the bumper.