Russell keeps ride on Tiger Roll in National
Elliott confirms winning team will be reunited One For Arthur shines in schooling session
Gordon Elliott has confirmed that Davy Russell will be reunited with Tiger Roll, the 3-1 favourite, in the Randox Health Grand National at Aintree a week on Saturday.
It will be the first time the jockey has ridden the nine-year-old in a race since they beat Pleasant Company by a head in a dramatic finish to last year’s National. Tiger Roll has won his past two starts, including a 22-length victory in the Glenfarclas Cross-country Chase at Cheltenham, and has been ridden in all three races this season by Keith Donoghue, who does a lot of the work on him at home.
However, Russell came in for the ride last year because he carried 10st13lb and the Gigginstown gelding is currently set to carry 11st 1lb, which remains right at the lower limit for Donoghue.
“Davy won on him last year and it has been decided he keeps the ride,” said Elliott, who confirmed the horse remains in great form.
Tiger Roll could be sent off the shortest-priced favourite in National history but is not the only previous winner in the line-up and the vibes around the Lucinda Russell-trained One For Arthur improved significantly over the weekend after he schooled around Carlisle racecourse.
Now a 10-year-old, One For Arthur missed last season with a tendon problem and, uncharacteristically, has unseated his rider on both starts this season. “After he won in 2017 we made a plan to come back,” explained Russell, who saddled a double at Hexham yesterday.
“We had a Plan A and Plan B, and we are on about Plan F now. In 2017 everything was so smooth, this time we have been challenged every time.
“Until the weekend I thought we were just going to Aintree to make up the numbers. Now I think he is a good each-way bet. I did think he jumped particularly well at Carlisle on Sunday and when Derek [Fox] got off he said ‘I can’t believe you’ve got him back!’ Derek doesn’t flower things up, so it was as good as winning a race. It was quite emotional.
“Sure we have missed a season and he is two years older but I am happy he is back on track.”
Reflecting on One For Arthur’s victory two years ago when he became only the second National winner to be trained in Scotland, Russell said the one lesson she learned was how to celebrate. “If it happens again we are getting a taxi ordered!” she said.
“The day is such a haze I don’t remember large parts of it, or even leaving the course. It was nothing to do with alcohol – it was sheer excitement. Scu [Peter Scudamore – her partner] drove halfway home while I replied to text messages, then I took over and he replied to his texts. But I wonder why we didn’t relax and enjoy it more.
“Everyone wants to know about ‘Arthur’, the non-racing public more so. Like all great sports people who are known by their first name, doesn’t it mean he’s made it?”