Tiger Roll goes into the 2020 Randox Health Grand National at Aintree as the 10-1 favourite with the bookmakers, where he is looking to add his name into the history books.
No horse has been successful in three consecutive renewals of the Aintree feature but ever since he crossed the line in front in 2019, Tiger Roll has topped horse racing odds for much of the past 12 months.
Gordon Elliott’s runner is a household name now and is once again sure to be a very popular selection with those placing a bet on the world’s most famous steeplechase this year.
The Irish horse went off as the 4/1 favourite in 2019 and his margin of victory was even wider than his first success in the race as he scored by just under three lengths ahead of Magic Of Light.
Dual winner Handed Top Weight
Although he is the bookmakers’ market leader for the race, this will be Tiger Roll’s toughest test to date as he has been handed top weight of 11st-10lb by the official handicapper.
The 10-year-old will carry 5lb more than he did in his victory last April. It is 11lb greater than he had on his back in the 2018 contest, where he got the better of Pleasant Company by a head as a 10/1 shot.
Tiger Roll is bidding to become the first horse in 43 years to win off top weight. Six of the last 10 winners of the race have had 11st or more, including Many Clouds who prevailed in 2015 when he won off 11st-9lb.
Another Big Performance In Cross Country
Unfortunately for those connected with Tiger Roll, he was unable to make it a hat-trick of wins in the Cross Country Chase at the 2020 Cheltenham Festival. He finished second behind Easysland in what was another big performance.
Elliott said he was delighted with that run and the ground just wasn’t ideal for him on this latest appearance. That was his second start of the season as he finished fifth in the Boyne Hurdle at Navan last month.
With those two outings now under his belt, the defending champion should be fit and ready for the defence of his crown at Aintree.
Red Rum Last Horse To Win Three Nationals
Although Tiger Roll will stand alone in the history books by winning three on the spin if he is able to justify favouritism in the 2020 Grand National, he will become the second horse to prevail three times in the race.
Red Rum achieved that feat in 1977 as the 10/1 joint-favourite. His previous successes came in 1973 and 1974, while he also impressively finished runner-up in 1975 and 1976. The horse, who was trained down the road from Aintree by Ginger McCain, is generally considered as the greatest Grand National winner of all time.
Tiger Roll currently has a 100% record in this race as he has only featured in two Grand Nationals so far in his career. If he is able to match Red Rum’s number of wins, and do it in fewer races, he will certainly be part of any future conversations about the best horses to win the steeplechase.
Gigginstown House Stud Bidding For Fourth Win
Tiger Roll is not the only one looking to make history in the Grand National this year, his owner Gigginstown House Stud are vying for a record-fourth win.
Gigginstown Stud first won the race in 2016 when Rule The World caused a surprise by coming out on top at odds of 33/1. Tiger Roll’s victories in the last two renewals have ensured the operation equalled the record for the most wins by an owner in the race.
Not only will Tiger Roll be carrying the colours of Gigginstown Stud in 2020, they currently have 11 horses entered. Alpha Des Obeaux is 25/1 in the betting, while Sub Lieutenant is rated as a 33/1 shot by the bookmakers in what are the pick of their other runners.
This year’s Grand National takes place on the 4th April at 17:15 and it will be the 173rd renewal of the race which has a big place in British sporting culture.
