'A little rat of a thing but the heart of a lion' - top Tiger Roll quotes

The curtain came down on Tiger Roll's spectacular career after he finished a game second in the Glenfarclas Chase at Cheltenham on Wednesday. Here, we pick out the best of what those closest to the dual Grand National winner said about him.

He had schooled well at home, so that was no surprise. He was idling in front.
Mark Quinlan, the first jockey to ride Tiger Roll, after his debut win at Market Rasen in November 2013

I'm not sure if he can get back to his Triumph Hurdle form, but that was good and there is a great programme for this type of horse.
After a couple of years in the wilderness, Gordon Elliott, now training the popular pocket rocket, is thrilled with a 2016 victory over fences at Ballinrobe

He's one of the favourites in the yard. He's had his problems but he's back rocking now.
Tiger Roll takes his chasing record to two from two at Kilbeggan and seems to have his mojo back, according to Elliott

Gordon Elliott: Tiger Roll's second trainerCredit: Edward Whitaker

All the credit has to go to Eddie O'Leary. I was mad keen to take him out because of the ground, but then it dried and he wanted him to run. He was right and I was wrong. Fair play to him.
Elliott heaps praise on Gigginstown's Eddie O'Leary for his eagerness to contest a handicap chase at Limerick in October 2016

I knew after three fences Tiger Roll was on a going day.
The 2014 Triumph winner adds another festival success to his CV in the National Hunt Chase in 2017 - and Elliott did not seem surprised

The secret to Tiger Roll seems to be there's no distance too far and the further he goes the better he is. I thought he had no chance today because he's really a good-ground horse. He's only a small horse, he's a little rat of a thing, but he's got a heart of a lion.
Michael O'Leary, the Ryanair supremo who owns Gigginstown, with a back-handed compliment to Tiger Roll after his cross-country win in 2018

Tiger Roll cruising round in familiar territoryCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

I was afraid Tiger Roll wouldn't take to it as he's very economical with his jumping. They've done a marvellous job with this horse.
Davy Russell with a short but sweet assessment of the Grand National triumph in 2018

The festival race will be more important than the National, to be honest. I would love to win at Aintree again, but Tiger Roll will probably have top weight and you have to be realistic. It would be easier to win at the festival – and to win at the Cheltenham Festival four times would be a dream come true.
Elliott, speaking in November 2018, appears to start a Cheltenham v Aintree thing

It's a big ask for this horse to do it again, but what he has done there today has been brilliant and we'll enjoy it.
Relief seems Elliott's emotion after a second cross-country triumph, Tiger Roll's fourth at the festival

Aintree hero - againCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

He's a little devil, he doesn't get high at his fences, but he gets away with it.
Russell, once again, is in awe after another famous Aintree victory in 2019

I got some criticism last year for limiting you to one drink per person, but now you can have two drinks! Buy your food in Dublin – on this flight we’re drinking!
Michael O'Leary was in celebratory mood on his Ryanair flight back to Dublin after the National

I like buying from Godolphin as there are a lot of well-bred, nice horses who come from that area, and they can be a little bit big and backward or a little bit slow. Tiger Roll ticked all the boxes.
Nigel Hawke, the legendary gelding's first trainer, recalls in 2019 how he bought the future star

He was never travelling.
Robbie Power, riding the son of Authorized for the first time, pulled him up in a race at Cheltenham in November 2020, leading some to ponder if that was the last they would see of Tiger Roll

The end? Certainly notCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

We haven't seen the best of Tiger Roll this season, but at home he looks well and is as enthusiastic as ever.
Denise 'Sneezy' Foster, training Tiger Roll after Gordon Elliott's suspension, raised hope the day before Tiger Roll's seventh appearance at jumping's best week

I'm speechless. It means everything to me. If it wasn't for this horse I wouldn't be here, I wouldn't be a jockey.
An emotional Keith Donoghue, who had won two Cross Country Chases on Tiger Roll, after completing the hat-trick at the 2021 festival

There was a rush to retire this horse when he disappointed at Cheltenham back in November but he had a smile on his face there today.
Eddie O'Leary makes the critics eat their words after that success

Since we are responsible for the welfare of Tiger Roll, we must protect him from the idiotic opinion of this handicapper. We therefore regret to announce that he will not run in this year's Grand National.
Michael O'Leary not mincing his words in relation to Tiger Roll's absence from the Grand National next month

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