Tiger Roll has won back-to-back Grand National wins, emulating the legendary Red Rum who won horse racing’s most prestigious race in 1973, 1974 and 1977 as well as finishing second twice. Tiger Roll has the chance to make history by becoming the first horse to win the race three times in a row. Tiger is also expected to defend his Cheltenham Festival crown, his victory in the Cross Country Chase was the fourth Cheltenham Festival race he has won.
Despite the public and bookmakers expecting a historic victory in the Grand National, owner Michael O’Leary had previously played down the horse’s chances of even racing at Aintree. These comments were contradicted by Elliot who admitted they are careful with the horse, but he expected that Tiger Roll would race over hurdles early in the New Year, suggesting the Boyne Hurdle in Navan in County Meath in Ireland in February was a possibility. Elliot also confirmed that the horse would defend his Cheltenham and Grand National titles, saying;
He will go back to Cheltenham in March for the Cross-Country race, and then we’ll go for the Randox Health Grand National. – Gordon Elliott, Tiger Rolls trainer
Bookmakers have little doubt that Tiger Roll will become the first horse in history to complete three consecutive Grand National wins. Early betting on the event has Tiger Roll priced @ 5/1 with most bookies, and you’ll struggle to get any better than 6/1. The 2nd favourite, Irish Grand National winner Burrows Saint is a long way out at 16/1. Other notable prices are 2019 Cheltenham Gold Cup runner-up Anibale Fly @ 33/1. Pleasant Company trained by W P Mullins has a 20% success rathe over jumps and is priced @ 33/1.
Tiger Rolls owner, Michael O’Leary shocked the racing world when earlier this year he announced that he planned to phase out his team over the next five years. O’Leary is Ireland’s most successful National Hunt owner, and his Gigginstown House Stud has had 992 runners, and the stable’s iconic maroon and white silks have been a mainstay at courses in Ireland and the UK for many years. The often out-spoken Ryanair chief executive cited wanting to spend more time with his children as the main reason for the disbanding of the team. The 58-year-old said that by winding down the team over a four- or five-year period, it would give the trainers plenty of time to replace the horse stock with minimal disruption. O’Leary originally ran horses on the Flat before switching to jumps, Cheltenham success in 2006 with War Of Attrition was the first of many winners to come at major events.
