Tiger’s on a Roll!
Hot favourite storms to second Grand National triumph in a row – just like Red Rum 45 years ago
A RACING legend was born yesterday after Tiger Roll became the first horse to win back-to-back Grand Nationals since Red Rum 45 years ago.
Once described by his owner, Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary, as ‘a little rat of a thing’, the 4-1 favourite romped home by almost three lengths in front of an adoring crowd at Aintree.
The diminutive horse was level with 66-1 outsider Magic of Light at the last fence, but pulled clear in the final straight.
In doing so, the Irish thoroughbred emulated the iconic Red Rum, who did the National double in 1973 and 1974 – before winning the race again in 1977.
The victory of such a well-backed favourite – the shortest priced winner for 100 years – cost bookmakers millions of pounds and left them ruing the ‘most expensive result in Grand National history’.
Jockey Davy Russell, 39, who also rode Tiger Roll to last year’s victory, said it was
‘This horse is amazing – he’s a little devil’
‘unbelievable’ to have pulled off the double, adding: ‘He got very wound up before the race, which was unlike him. Once we got going, we were fine.
‘This horse and this place is amazing. He’s a little devil, he doesn’t get high at his fences but he gets away with it.’
O’Leary had written off Tiger Roll’s chances because the horse’s handicap meant he was carrying a hefty 11st 5lbs.
‘It’s just unbelievable,’ he said. ‘I thought that he genuinely had no chance today carrying that weight, but it was a beautiful ride.’
He later revealed that he is considering retiring the horse after next year’s Cheltenham Festival – without giving him the chance to equal or beat Red Rum’s record of three Grand National wins.
O’Leary said: ‘He’s already a legend and I’m concerned about him hauling enormous amounts of weight around. Frankly, I’m more concerned about his wellbeing.’
There was a poignant moment for jockey Paddy Kennedy, who rode Magic of Light home to second place.
He was diagnosed with a tumour on his bladder in 2017, but has been able to return to racing after successful treatment.