PAGES OF FANTASTIC START WITH HORSE RACING TIGER FEAT STILL ON Douvan is ready to run
TIGER ROLL must be “given a chance” by the BHA’s Grand National handicapper Martin Greenwood if he is to attempt a historic hattrick at Aintree next April.
The Gordon Elliott-trained star’s owner Michael O’Leary shocked punters on Tuesday saying the chances of the nine-year-old seeking to add to his National heroics of 2017 and 2018 were between “slim and none”.
But O’Leary’s brother and racing manager Eddie (right) yesterday insisted the treble bid is on the cards in the Randox Healthsponsored marathon – as long as Greenwood plays ball.
“We are not trying to put pressure on the handicapper or bully him in any way,” said Eddie O’Leary.
“All we want is for the horse to be given a chance. If he is given a chance, he will run, but if he’s not, he won’t.
“Every year, the weights were compressed – sometimes by 8-10lb – to encourage the best horses to run. We’re not looking for that much, but it wouldn’t be fair to ask the horse run off his rating of 172, because he’s not a 172 horse.”
The National weights are set to be unveiled in Liverpool a month before Tiger Roll’s scheduled tune-up for Aintree in the Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase, which he has won for the last two years.
But O’Leary added of the 5-1 National favourite: “If his weight is unreasonable, he’ll be retired after Cheltenham.”
Nicky Henderson believes dual Champion Hurdler Buveur D’Air, denied a hat-trick when falling at the third flight last March, is still “the one they all have to beat” in the two-mile division.
The eight-year-old will make his return in the Grade One Betfair Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle, and Henderson said: “He is probably the one they all have to beat on paper. There are some young horses coming through, but it would be great if he could win a third Champion Hurdle.”
WILLIE MULLINS yesterday hailed Douvan’s return to action at Clonmel today as “nearly a victory” in itself.
The Rich and Susannah Ricci-owned nine-year-old, an eight-time Grade One winner, makes his comeback in the Grade Two Clonmel Oil Chase after a 569-day absence from the course.
“Clonmel is not the sort of place I envisaged Douvan going, but the conditions of the race suit and he seems to be in nice form,” said Mullins.
“We just need to get him back out and see how he is – I’m happy to let him take his chance.
“It’s nearly a victory to have him back and ready to run, coming from where we’ve been with him, and it’s a good start off in this type of race rather than go to Leopardstown first time out.”
Douvan races four rivals, including the Henry De Bromhead-saddled Monalee, himself a winner at the highest level during his first season over fences.
“I want to get a run into him, as long as he stays sound, and get him back to somewhere near his best,” added Mullins.