Can Tiger Roll add 2018 Grand National to Cheltenham win?

Gordon Elliott hasn’t won the Grand National since 2007. But the Irish trainer looks like he could have a major player on his hands with Tiger Roll.

The eight-year-old spearheads a three-strong team going to Aintree for the big racing showpiece, also including Ucello Conti and Bless The Wing. But Elliott seems to be pinning the majority of his hopes on Tiger Roll.

And there are plenty of valid reasons why. Like any Cheltenham winner, it must display courage, stamina, speed, and jumping ability.

Thankfully, he ticks all the boxes – and does so with aplomb. Just watch a re-run of his performance at the 2018 Cheltenham Festival and you’ll see a horse in tremendous form.

He won the Cross Country in thrilling fashion to make it a third win at the Prestbury Park festival after winning the 2017 National Hunt Challenge Cup and the 2014 Triumph Hurdle.

It was a performance that set the tone for a big jaunt at this year’s Grand National as he showed all the hallmarks of an Aintree winner.

Coincidentally or not – his stablemate Cause Of Causes – won the Cross Country at Cheltenham last year before finishing second in the following Grand National. Maybe that’s an indicator for Tiger Roll going into this year’s renewal?

One of his major attributes is that he seems to be able to travel well in any conditions. And with the inconsistent weather this year, that could be a big plus for punters. Although connections have stated that the better the ground, the better he’ll run.

The one negative is that he has yet to race over the Aintree fences, but his performances at Cheltenham should put any of those worries to bed.

Davy Russell looks like being offered the ride by Elliott. And the last time the two paired up in 2014, they won the Triumph Hurdle.

Despite his win at Cheltenham last month, his weight of 10-09 can’t be changed. And that’s another pretty significant positive.

However, the trends look a little set against the Gigginstown House Stud charge. Nine-year-olds have accounted for four of the last 13 winners since 2005. That’s the joint-best record alongside 10-year-olds. In that regard, it’s possible this year’s Grand National has come a year too early for Tiger Roll?

But then it’s unlikely he’ll go off as one of the Grand National favourites unless there’s a huge push from punters up until race off at 5:15pm on Saturday April 14th.

And in that sense, it could well play into Elliott’s favour seeing as only six horses at the head of the betting have justified favouritism and gone on to win the Grand National.

If a winner is to come from the pack below the favourite, Tiger Roll could be in with a big shout of Aintree glory.

Would you like to bet on Tiger Roll ? Check out all the latest Grand National odds at Coral!