Tiger Roll has officially been ruled out of a historic Randox Grand National hat-trick bid, but Gordon Elliott believes the legendary veteran remains the one to beat in this month’s Glenfarclas Cross Country if retaining most of his old ability.
Tiger Roll (left) on his way to victory in 2018.
The Racing Post reports that Michael O’Leary reaffirmed his stance on Sunday that the dual Grand National hero would not be returning to Liverpool on April 9 due to a “ridiculous rating and unfair weight”, but confirmation of the move came on Tuesday when Tiger Roll was officially scratched from the race.
A total of 14 horses were removed from the £1 million spectacular, including fellow Irish-trained entrants Eklat de Rire, Off You Go, The Big Dog, Assemble, Mister Fogpatches, Eurobot and Brace Yourself.
Sam Brown was the highest-rated British-trained contender to be taken out of the contest, as well as El Presente, Kalooki, Uisce Beatha, Elegant Escape and Double Shuffle.
Confirmation of Tiger Roll’s absence comes as a blow to the world’s most famous race, but Elliott is focusing all of his attention on getting the pint-sized performer back to Cheltenham for a record-equalling sixth festival success.
On how much ability he believes Tiger Roll still retains, considering his uninspiring form this season, Elliott said: “There’s only one place I care about winning with this horse and it’s Cheltenham.
“I’d say his run last time in a handicap hurdle at Navan was equal to what he showed [the previous year] in the Boyne Hurdle, and everyone said he had no chance.
www.racingpost.com
