Trainer Gordon Elliott says there is “every chance” Grand National hero Tiger Roll will bid for a third win in the race next season after this year’s renewal was cancelled.
Following the government’s announcement that it would stop supporting mass gatherings amid the coronavirus outbreak, organisers confirmed the world’s most famous horse race, due to take place next month, would not take place this year.
Tiger Roll, who became the first horse since Red Rum to win back-to-back Nationals when winning last year’s renewal, had been hoping to complete an unprecedented hat-trick.
The Gigginstown horse will be 11 by the time next year’s race comes around, but owner Michael O’Leary had already confirmed that he would stay in training next season and Elliott sees no reason why the Aintree showpiece would not be a major target again.
In Pictures | 171st Grand National | 14/04/2018
In Pictures | 171st Grand National | 14/04/2018
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Davy Russell celebrates after riding Tiger Roll
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Davy Russell celebrates after riding Tiger Roll
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Davy Russell celebrates after riding Tiger Roll
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Davy Russell riding Tiger Roll (L) clear the last to win the Grand National ahead of Pleasant Company.
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Casse Tete ridden by Joshua Moore clears a fence during the Betway Handicap Steeple Chase
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Sean Flanagan riding Identity Thief clear the last to win The Ryanair Stayers Hurdle
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Sean Flanagan riding Identity Thief clear the last to win The Ryanair Stayers Hurdle
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Thomas Patrick ridden by Richard Johnson jumps a fence during their victory in the Betway Handicap Steeple Chase
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Diego Du Charmil ridden by Harry Cobden wins the Doom Bar Maghull Novices' Steeple Chase
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A racegoer studies the programme
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Racegoers pose for a selfie
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Racegoers cheer during the final day
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Horses and riders (R) in the The Gaskells Handicap Hurdle
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Noel Fehily riding Black Op
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A general view of the action in The Gaskells Handicap Hurdle
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Horses and jockeys head to the finish line during the Betway Mersey Novices' Hurdle
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Black Op ridden by Noel Fehily
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A general view of the action in The Gaskells Handicap Hurdle
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Tom Scudamore riding Mr Big Shot (nearest) clear the last to win The Gaskells Handicap Hurdle
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Tom Scudamore riding Mr Big Shot (C)
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om Scudamore riding Mr Big Shot (C)
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Racegoers attend the final day of the Grand National Festival
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Coleen Rooney, wife of Everton's footballer Wayne Rooney
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Dressed for the races
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A racegoer is, well, horsing around
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“There is every chance of him competing,” he told BBC Radio Four. “He hasn’t got that many miles on the clock, and we will be training him back for the Grand National again.
“You’re training horses day by day, never mind year by year, so I’ll be taking things day by day – and there’s a lot of water to go under the bridge by then.
“He’s in good form and he was all set for the National, but unfortunately we’re only one of 40 horses – and so we’ve just got to keep going.
“All we can do it dream – so you never know what might happen.”
