Tiger on course for a return to the Boyne The Grade Two Ladbrokes Ireland Boyne Hurdle remains the target for Tiger Roll, but trainer Gordon Elliott isn’t anticipating a repeat of his star’s peformance in the 2019 Navan contest. Having had a chip removed from a joint in November, Tiger Roll is now building towards a return to Aintree in April, in a bid to become the first horse to win three English Grand Nationals in succession. The Authorized gelding would join Red Rum as a hat-trick scorer in the world’s most famous steeplechase, and he’s a best-priced 6/1 favourite to do so. Looking towards Navan first, Elliott said: “It’s a month away now (February 16th). He’s back cantering and we’d love to start him off there. “The race was lucky for us last year. I don’t think he’s going to be as fit going into the race this year. “There’s going to be a lot more improvement but it looks a nice race to start him off as a stepping stone for the cross-country race in Cheltenham and obviously then the Randox English Grand National. “It’s a great track (Navan) and I’d love to start him off there if I could.” It could be a last chance for Irish racegoers to see the mighty Tiger in action. Elliott surmised: “I’d imagine whatever he does this year he’ll probably be retired after this year. “If everything goes well it could be the last time you’ll see him racing in Ireland, and there wouldn’t be a nicer place to do it than at Navan. “It’s the local course and he won it last year.” The Cullentra House handler added: “That win did surprise me but to be honest I don’t think he’s as fit this year because obviously we missed four weeks with him. “It’s a month away and there’s a lot of water to go under the bridge yet and we’ll see what happens.”
