A DECISION on Tiger Roll’s future is to be left until the last minute as the two-time Grand National winner’s owners ponder where he will run next.
Already the O’Leary brothers Michael – the Ryanair boss – and Eddie have pulled him from the Grand National in a spat over his weight.
Tiger Roll could still run at Aintree, but in the Betway Bowl and not the main event.
While anothe race being considered is the Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse.
And that could be the route forward for the recent Cheltenham Festival winner given he could claim a lighter riding weight.
Tiger Roll recorded his fifth Festival win in the Cross Country Chase, running out an easy winner.
Eddie O’Leary says he has no regrets about pulling the horse from the world’s most famous race.
He hinted the Irish version could be next for the iconic horse.
O’Leary told the Racing Post: “He’ll either go to Aintree for the Bowl or for the Irish National.
“We left him in the Irish National thinking that, if the ground was suitable, we could claim 7lb off him.
“That would give him a nice racing weight.
“If he goes to Fairyhouse he could be ridden by a claimer, otherwise it will be the Bowl.
“He has come out of Cheltenham very well, according to Sneezy [Foster] and she is very happy with him.”
Having the star of the show missing does not mean Gigginstown don’t still hold a strong hand in the National.
Cloth Cap is the short 7-2 favourite, but the betting is appealing for those running behind him.
Get £40 in free bets for the Grand National
That includes the likes of Milan Native and Shattered Love – who could make up a six-strong party of O’Leary runners.
Eddie added: “At this stage it looks as though we’ll have five or six for the Aintree National and roughly the same for Fairyhouse.
“Shattered Love, Milan Native, Farclas and Alpha Des OBeaux, they are all possibles for Aintree.
“For the Irish National, obviously Tiger Roll is a possible and we’ve kept Coko Beach and Run Wild Fred for that as well, so they would be our main ones for the race.”
FREE BETS GET OVER £2,000 IN SIGN UP OFFERS HERE
Commercial content notice: Taking one of the bookmaker offers featured in this article may result in a payment to SE. 18+. T&Cs apply. Begambleaware.org
Remember to gamble responsibly
A responsible gambler is someone who:
- Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
- Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
- Never chase their losses
- Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressed
- Gamcare – www.gamcare.org.uk
- Gamble Aware – www.begambleaware.org
