Elliott’s Tiger ready to roll

Racing: Favourable conditions for stayer

Cheltenham makes a welcome return to the fixture list, with TIGER ROLL taken to play a starring role for Ireland.

Winner of the 2014 Triumph Hurdle at the Festival, Gordon Elliott’s sixyear-old is now getting his act together over fences and looked sleek when successful at Limerick this month, despite being sent off at odds of 20-1.

With conditions for the Ryman Stationery Cheltenham Business Club Novices’ Chase loaded in his favour, his wise trainer will be very keen to make hay in these big staying races before the ground turns too demanding for him.

Similar thoughts apply to EL BANDIT, who impressed in the Persian War at Chepstow and can continue his hot run of form in the Neptune Investment Management Novices’ Hurdle.

Blaine was just edged out on the line last time but compensation awaits in the Racing Post/SIS Betting Shop Manager Handicap at Doncaster.

It is something of a surprise the sixyear-old has only five wins to his credit so far, but given the nature of the bigfield ultra-competitive sprints he contests, it perhaps makes more sense.

That said, he has proved capable enough on some of the bigger days, notably winning over six furlongs at Epsom’s Derby meeting back in June, while his run in the Ayr Silver Cup is better than it looks at first glance.

Indeed, he came close to notching a second win of the year at Haydock last week, defying his starting price of 33-1 when going down by just a short-head after leading right up to the final stride.

The handicapper has nudged him up 2lb, but he remains some way short of his career best mark of 107. SELECTIONS:

CHELTENHAM: 2.10 El Bandit, 2.45 Aristo Du Plessis, 3.20 Ballinure, 3.55 TIGER ROLL (NAP), 4.30 Casper King, 5.05 Cecil Corbett, 5.40 Wishfull Dreaming.

DONCASTER: 1.30 Soldier’s Girl, 2.00 Ouja, 2.35 Radjash, 3.10 Mirage Dancer, 3.45 Blaine, 4.20 Not Never, 4.55 Al Neksh, 5.30 Hardington.

DOUBLE: Tiger Roll and El Bandit.