TIGER ROLL has been backed to ‘go out in a blaze of glory’ at Cheltenham in what is expected to be his last ever race.
The 12-year-old is entered in the Cross Country hurdle at the Festival.
Tiger Roll will be retired after his run in the Cheltenham Cross Country
Controversial Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary was not happy with what the handicapper were weighing Tiger Roll for the Grand National
But in a huge disappointment to racing fans, the legendary runner will NOT race at Aintree Grand National on April 9.
He has been pulled out by owner and Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary in a row over the weight he would have been made to carry.
So Cheltenham will be the last time to see the Gordon Elliott-trained superstar in action.
And he has been backed to WIN on his swansong show by former jockey Ruby Walsh.
Speaking on Paddy Power’s The Horse’s Mouth, the 42-year-old said: “I think Tiger Roll will go out in a blaze of glory and I don’t think anybody will begrudge him that.
“I would think Tiger Roll’s run over hurdles in 2022 isn’t that dissimilar to his run over hurdles in February of 2021.
“He went to Cheltenham last year, he beat Easysland by 18 lengths, I think he’s a hard horse to oppose myself.”
With it now confirmed O’Leary intends to retire Tiger Roll after Cheltenham, a poll by Paddy Power has revealed that nine out of ten punters wanted to see him race in the Grand National.
And 45 per cent of horse racing fans think controversial O’Leary was WRONG to pull him out of the race.
The veteran has been controversially denied the opportunity to equal Red Rum’s record of three wins at Aintree.
A spokesperson for Paddy Power joked: “We all know that budget airline boss Michael O’Leary has a bee in his bonnet when it comes to carrying extra hand luggage.
“So it’s little wonder he threw an absolute wobbler when the British handicapper gave his horse more weight to carry than his owner had hoped.
“While on the face of it, it appeared the public were divided about his decision, our poll reveals that just 28 per cent of horse racing fans support Michael O’Leary’s stance and many will be hugely disappointed to learn that his run in Cheltenham will be his last.”
Former jockey Ruby Walsh is predicting Tiger Roll to ‘go out in a blaze of glory’
