Tiger Roll out until at least February after suffering injury blow

Tiger Roll has suffered a setback which will rule him out of action until February at the earliest, although connections are confident he will recover in time for the Cheltenham Festival in March.

The two-time Grand National winner has a small chip in a joint which will be taken out on Friday, and Gigginstown racing manager Eddie O'Leary says the best-case scenario is a return in the Boyne Hurdle at Navan in February. If not, it will be straight to Cheltenham.

O'Leary said: "He has a small chip in a joint and he is going to have it taken out on Friday. It will rule him out of Christmas and we hope to make the Boyne Hurdle at Navan in February. If not, it will be straight to Cheltenham."

Tiger Roll could make history at Aintree in April by becoming only the second horse after Red Rum to win three Grand Nationals.

Trainer Gordon Elliott said: "It is obviously not ideal and I would have preferred if it didn't happen, but I would hope to have him back for the Boyne Hurdle and then on to Cheltenham all being well. That is what we are hoping for."

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