Tiger Roll gets green light to defend Grand National title

Two-time winner Tiger Roll will defend his Aintree Grand National title, if he comes through this weekend's run at Navan and the Cheltenham Festival.

The Gordon Elliott-trained 10-year-old will make his seasonal reappearance in Sunday's Boyne Hurdle before aiming to become a five-time Cheltenham winner in the Glenfarclas Chase next month.

He'll be partnered by jockey Keith Donoghue this weekend for what will be his final race in Ireland and one which he landed as a 25-to-1 shot last season.

There had been doubt over whether Tiger Roll would bid for a historic third Grand National success after he was allotted the top weight of 11 stone 10 pounds by the handicapper this week.

But Gigginstown's Racing manager Eddie O'Leary says there's now a clear path for the rest of the season:

"He'll go to Navan this weekend for the Boyne Hurdle that he won last year, he badly wants a run.

"If he comes out of this fine, it will then be Cheltenham for the cross country chase again.

"If all goes well this weekend and then all goes well at Cheltenham, it will then be the National, hopefully."