Tiger Roll admires his two Grand National trophies© Photo Healy Racing
On the day Tiger Roll should have been going to post seeking a record third successive win in the Randox Health Grand National, Davy Russell has given his thoughts over what might have happened in the Aintree spectacular.
Writing in his blog for Star Sports, Russell said, "These are such strange times we are living through and it’s funny to think that we all should be in Liverpool ahead of the world’s most famous horse race.
“Of course, it’s upsetting that I’m not able to go for that third historic National win aboard Tiger Roll, but there are much bigger things going on in the world.
“I’ve been asked a few times this week whether or not he could have got the hat-trick. The answer has to be of course he could have done, but who knows? It’s the Grand National after all and he may have had a dream run through or he could have been brought down at the first.
“It would have been a mighty challenge with a big weight on his back, so he was always going to be up against it, but one thing for certain is that we’d have given it a mighty go.
“I’d like to think we will get a chance to re-write the history books this time next year when we’re all in a much happier and healthier place.”
The Youghal-based former champion jockey also commended bookmakers including Star Sports for donating any profits on ITV’s Virtual Grand National to NHS Charities Together.
The computer-simulated version of the race takes place later today at 5pm.
Russell has also joined many within racing to encourage donations for 1yo Dan Donoher from Ballybrittas who requires expensive treatment in America for a rare genetic neuromuscular disease called Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA).
Dan’s parents Niall and Aisling are well known in the Laois GAA community and a GoFundMe page has been set up on bit.ly/2xL3qkK
