Tiger Roll was outstanding at Cheltenham Festival, claiming the Cross Country Chase crown for the second year on the bounce. Gordon Elliott’s charge will now aim to become the first horse since Red Rum to successfully win back-to-back races at the Grand National.
The odds are stacked against the bay gelding, although the manner of his performance at Cheltenham will give Elliott, along with his owners Godolphin, optimism that he can achieve the feat.
The nine-year-old will face competition from a lot of talented horses, although the National has proven that underdogs are more than capable of springing an upset – none more so than Mon Mome’s triumph as a 100/1 outsider in 2009.
‘How can anyone entertain backing a horse in the National at that price? But Tiger Roll is different’
Tom Segal is knee-deep in Grand National study and finding it hard to escape the feeling Tiger Roll will just win
Read more in Wednesday’s @RPWeekender pic.twitter.com/KW2XoxWSeK
— Weekender (@RPWeekender) March 25, 2019
However, Tiger Roll was flawless over the three miles of the Cross Country Chase at Cheltenham and he should be in stronger shape this time around given his experience at the event at Aintree last season. As a result of his form, Tiger Roll’s odds have shortened to as low as 4/1, making him a sure bet at least for a place in the top six in the insider tips Grand National. Stranger things have occurred at the event, although there does not seem to be a horse among the contenders that has the quality to knock him off.
Out of the field that could challenge him down the stretch is last year’s runner-up Pleasant Company. Tiger Roll just had enough to fend off the Irish-bred horse, beating him out by a head on the line. Since then, Pleasant Company has been largely underwhelming. He returned to action in the Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle at Leopardstown and finished well off the pace down in 15th place out of 23 competitors, despite being named as one of the favourites for the event. Pleasant Company followed that outing with another poor display in the Thyestes Handicap Chase, placing in 11th at the event at Gowran Park. It would be a surprise if he were able to rise to the occasion to defeat Tiger Roll at Aintree
West Yorkshire trainer Sue Smith has her sights set on a second @RandoxHealth Grand National victory, this time with the Trevor Hemmings-owned Vintage Clouds.
Read more ?? https://t.co/hfgegt2ZKE pic.twitter.com/96FCgPHHSc
— Aintree Racecourse (@AintreeRaces) March 25, 2019
Vintage Clouds could be the horse that challenges. Sue Smith’s charge has been consistent throughout his career, although a major victory has eluded him. The Irish-bred horse did record a triumph at Haydock Park earlier in the campaign, beating Takingrisks by half-a-length. He was one of the leading contenders for the Welsh Grand National at Chepstow. However, he failed to rise to the occasion, pulling up after the 17th fence. Vintage Clouds responded with a good run at Cheltenham Festival, although the pace of Beware The Bear down the stretch thwarted his charge for victory in the Ultima Handicap Chase. There’s talent there, but he will have to reel off an outstanding performance.
Anibale Fly put in a good display at the Cheltenham Gold Cup to finish second behind Al Boum Photo. It was an improved finish on his third-place outing in 2018 before went on to place in fourth at the National. Although, whether Anibale Fly has the closing speed to beat out Tiger Roll down the straight is unlikely. Elliott’s charge is the favourite by right and it will take something special to deny him at Aintree.