Grand National 2020: Tiger Roll gets go-ahead for Aintree hat-trick bid
Connections will send dual Grand National winner to Aintree in April providing all goes well in his two runs at Navan and Cheltenham
by Chris WrightGrand National 2020: Tiger Roll gets go-ahead for Aintree hat-trick bid
Tiger Roll has been given the go-ahead to run in the 2020 Randox Health Grand National at Aintree Racecourse on April 4 - provided all goes well at Navan this weekend and then at the Cheltenham Festival next month.
His Gigginstown House Stud owners has put the dual Grand National winner's hat-trick bid in doubt earlier this week.
Following the Gordon Elliott-trained 10-year-old being handed top weight of 11st10lb when they weights were revealed at a lunch in St George's Hall on Tuesday, Eddie O'Leary - racing manager to his brother Michael's Gigginstown House Stud - said he was only "50-50" to line-up at Aintree in seven weeks.
See the full list of Grand National 2020 entries and weights.
The owners were concerned that he has been treated unfairly treated by the British Horseracing Authority's chase handicapper Martin Greenwood as he was handed the same weight as his Grade One-winning stable-mate Delta Work and more than 2018 Cheltenham Gold Cup hero Native River.
The statement made earlier the week dampened the excitement building around Tiger Roll's historic hat-trick bid in the world's greatest steeplechase. Only Red Rum has won three Grand Nationals - but no horse has ever landed three victories in successive seasons.
But now O’Leary has now said that Aintree is the plan for the gelded son of 2007 Derby hero Authorized.
First, though, Tiger Roll must show his well-being when he makes his seasonal return in the Boyne Hurdle - a race he also won last year - at Navan on Sunday.
And then when he bids for an incredible fifth Cheltenham Festival victory in the Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase at Prestbury Park on March 11.
Join our new Grand National Facebook group to follow all the action during the countdown to Aintree
Eddie O'Leary said: “He’ll go to Navan this weekend for the Boyne Hurdle that he won last year, he badly wants a run (after his setback).
“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.”