Grand National hero Tiger Roll will return at Navan this weekend

It's been confirmed that Aintree hero Tiger Roll will make his seasonal reappearance in the Boyne Hurdle at Navan on Sunday. 

The Gordon Elliott trained 10-year-old hasn't run since winning the Grand National for a second successive year last April.

Tiger Roll will face nine opponents in Meath, including Grand National second Magic of Light and former Stayers Hurdle winner Penhill.

The Michael O'Leary owned chaser has been recovering from a small procedure over the winter to remove a chip from a bone in one of his legs.

This will be the first step on what Elliott, Irish racing fans and Aintree will hope to be a tilt at a hat-trick of victories in the famous race in Liverpool on Saturday April 4th.

Gigginstown House Stud, the vehicle of Michael and Eddie O'Leary, have yet to confirm if Tiger Roll, who will carry top weight of 11 stone 10 at Aintree, will be definite runner in the race.

There are concerns that a handicap mark of 170 is too punitive for a horse that is small and nimble in stature.

The Cross Country Chase at Cheltenham, which the horse also won last year, is believed to be next on the agenda after Navan.

Tiger Roll was an unconsidered 25/1 shot when taking last year's Boyne Hurdle.