Grand National Festival: Tiger ready to Roll in 3m Handicap

David Metcalf | April 8, 2016

Tiger Roll can roar to success in Aintree opener

Tiger Roll can take advantage of a drop in the weights to land the 3m Gaskell Waste Management Handicap Hurdle that opens proceedings on Crabbie’s Grand National day at Aintree (13:45).

Trained in Ireland by Gordon Elliott, the gelding was a very smart juvenile hurdler in 2014 where his successes include a 3 1/4 length victory over Kentucky Hyden in the Grade 1 Triumph Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.

Tiger Roll went on to notch another success at the same venue, but things haven’t gone to plan since.

The six-year-old’s best effort in six subsequent starts over the obstacles came when third to Kitten Rock in a Grade 2 contest at Gowran Park, but his handicap mark has fallen as a result.

Given a big chance by the handicapper

Having been rated as high as 150, Tiger Roll is now able to race off a career-low of 145.

That makes the son of Authorized dangerously well-treated on the pick of his form, and he comes into the race having run very well to finish runner-up on the level at Dundalk following 327 days on the sidelines.

It was a highly encouraging effort which should have put Tiger Roll spot on for this, and he appears top have been laid out for the race by his shrewd handler who is enjoying a tremendous season.