CHELTENHAM NEWS

Elliott retains Cheltenham plan for Tiger Roll

Gordon Elliott says Tiger Roll remains on course for next month’s Cheltenham Festival despite finishing last at Navan on Sunday.

The dual Grand National winner was stepping up his preparations for the Prestbury Park showpiece by running in the Grade Two Ladbrokes Boyne Hurdle, a race he won two years ago before going on to claim the second of his Aintree successes.

However, despite a promising start to the race, the 11-year-old tired in the heavy conditions at Navan, eventually coming in last of the six runners under the stewardship of jockey Keith Donoghue, some 48 lengths behind fifth-placed Decor Irlandais.

Despite the disappointing performance of Tiger Roll, Elliott was feeling upbeat after the race and he insists the Gigginstown House Stud will still be heading to Cheltenham, where he is expected to run in the Glenfarclas Chase.

“Keith said he travelled well to the third last, in horrible ground, and just got tired,” Elliott told reporters.

“It’s still all systems go for Cheltenham. Keith said he was happy with him, but he just got tired in the ground. He’ll be OK.

“Of course you want him to run better, but he hated that ground.”

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