Eyes on the prize: Tiger Roll being aimed at National hat-trick bid says Elliott

Gordon Elliott is dreaming of a historic Grand National hat-trick bid for Tiger Roll, despite owner Michael O’Leary’s repeated insistence the Aintree legend might not line up on Merseyside in April.

The diminutive but brilliant nine-year-old, whose chances of returning to Aintree next year were described as "slim and none" by the Gigginstown boss this month because of the welter burden he would be asked to carry, is reportedly recovering well from a recent procedure to remove a small chip in a joint.

Speaking on Wednesday from his Cullentra base, Elliott said a return to Liverpool in April has been in his mind since Tiger Roll brought the house down with his National double in April.

"The Randox Health Grand National is the plan," said Elliott. "Obviously Michael O'Leary owns the horse and will make the final decision but in my mind this is the race we've been training him for since last season."

Tiger Roll crosses the line to land his second Grand NationalCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

He added: "The dream is to get this horse back there, to run would be awesome. If he could head out on the last circuit with a live chance, it'd be some atmosphere."

O'Leary has described Tiger Roll's guaranteed big weight in the Aintree showpiece as the main deterrent, but Elliott is optimistic about the handicap prospects.

"He carried 11st 5lb last year and we know he's going to have top weight this time around," he said. "It's just how the weights are compressed. The handicapper has his job to do and I'm sure he's going to be fair with everyone and that everyone will be happy.

"He's going to have 11st 10lb or whatever top weight is. Would he have won with 5lb more last year? He probably would. If he's 5lb higher this year we'll be happy."

Tiger Roll, who made a winning return last year in the Boyne Hurdle and had been earmarked for the same target in February, has the option of going straight to the Cheltenham Festival.

Elliott explained: "His procedure went well and he'll be back walking on Friday week. He'll have three weeks walking and we'll get him back cantering steady.

"He was in full fitness and almost ready to run when it happened. It's not ideal but if it happened in January or February it'd be a lot worse. The Boyne Hurdle is where we'd love to go but there's a fair chance he'll go straight to Cheltenham for the cross-country race."

The 41-year-old trainer added: "It's frightening really what he did last year. He was a different horse with the blinkers on. You could say he was probably the best he ever was last year.

"He's the horse of a lifetime. Everyone knows him and loves him. He's got a great name and is a character of a horse. He's almost two weeks standing in his stable and he loves everyone coming up to pet him and see him. He's a legend and he knows it.

"Everyone that comes into the yard doesn't ask to see anyone else, they all want to see him."

Elliott showcased 15 possible contenders for the £1 million National on Wednesday morning, including Borice, The Storyteller, Shattered Love and Champagne Classic.

"If the entries were today, I think we'd have 15 entries," he said. "They're all in the handicap and entitled to run in the race. If an owner pays his entry fee it's what keeps this game going."

Will the Tiger roar again at Aintree? Bookmakers hold differing opinions

Bookmakers hold contrasting views as to whether Tiger Roll will line up in the 2020 Randox Health Grand National.

On Wednesday afternoon Paddy Power made him a 1-2 shot not to run, while Boylesports appear confident the hat-trick seeker will take his chance, pricing him at 1-4 to line up.

Paddy Power spokesman Paul Binfield said: “Paddy Power have sometimes been accused of being publicity ravenous and perhaps Michael O’Leary is one of the few people or entities in the same bracket.

"But despite what must be a huge temptation to attempt to match Red Rum’s historic treble in the world’s most famous steeplechase, we currently don’t think he’ll be lining up in Liverpool in April.”

Leon Blanche, head of communications at Boylesports, said on Wednesday: "Gordon's comments surrounding Tiger Roll earlier today seem to be positive. Racing people want him to run and we want him to run. People have taken him to their hearts and it would be quite a historic day if he made his bid for more Aintree glory."

Boylesports make Tiger Roll a 6-1 chance for the Aintree centrepiece on April 4, while Paddy Power go an industry-best 8-1.

Will Tiger Roll run in 2020 Randox Health Grand National?

Boylesports
1-4 Yes
11-4 No

Paddy Power
1-2 No
6-4 Yes

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