Dual Grand National winner Tiger Roll is set to make his seasonal debut on Thursday on the flat at Navan as his entry into the 1 mile 6 furlong event was confirmed on Wednesday.
The yard explained that last year did not go to plan with Tiger Roll picking up an injury which impacted how his season played out, only being able to finish a long way second to Easysland in the Cross Country Chase at Prestbury Park.
It may have been a blessing in disguise that the Grand National was cancelled due to Covid for the horse, as he is now reported to be back to his best and has a huge chance of making history by landing a third consecutive Grand National.
Elliott said: “It wasn’t that annoying at all (to miss the Grand National) because he’d had a very hard race in Cheltenham and came home a bit stiff and sore behind.
Tiger Roll "50-50" to try and win a third successive Randox Health Grand National after being handed top weight ⬇https://t.co/IxmHWDFW4j pic.twitter.com/cnvJ6vGqsg
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) February 11, 2020
“The decision was made a week after Cheltenham that Aintree wasn’t going to go ahead, so we didn’t really get to think about it that much.
“It was going to be a tough couple of weeks to get there, anyway, because he hadn’t a brilliant preparation for Cheltenham.”
The Cullentra trainer is over the moon to have his stable star back in rude health and believes starting him off on the flat at Navan will benefit him down the line in the season when it comes to the big races.
“He’s absolutely in great form. Simon McGonagle, my head man, rides him out most days,” added Elliott.
“I think ground is the big key to him – the better the ground, the better he is.
“He’s just been the horse of a lifetime, and everyone who comes into the yard wants to see Tiger Roll – whether it’s a child from a local village or a Dublin footballer, whenever they come into the yard, he’s the first person they want to see.”