Tiger Roll Officially Pulled Out of Grand National
Two-time Grand National winner Tiger Roll has been officially withdrawn from the 2022 Grand National at the latest stage of scratchings. His owner Michael O’Leary made it public that he did not agree with his horse’s weight allocation, so has decided to take his horse out of the contest.
Just like in 2021, Tiger Roll will not get a chance to match Red Rum’s record of three wins in the steeplechase at Aintree. He was victorious for the first time in the marathon contest in 2018, while 12 months later, he defended his crown off a 7lb higher mark.
Tiger Roll is now expected to have the last run of his career at the Cheltenham Festival in the 2022 Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase. He is a 7/4 favourite in the betting to win that race for the fourth time. Those looking to back the defending champion can take advantage of the 2022 Cheltenham offer, which would give them a free bet to place on the popular chaser.
Although victory at the 2022 Cheltenham Festival would be a remarkable way to end his career, success is not needed to cement the horse’s name into the history books. He is already a five-time winner at the meeting, as he has also claimed the Triumph Hurdle and National Hunt Chase Challenge Cup.
Tiger Roll has been one of the most successful and versatile runners of the modern era. His wins at Aintree ensure he is a legend on Merseyside, and he also sets the standard for others to follow in the 4m2f contest.
Minella Times Remains in the 92 Entries for World’s Most Famous Steeplechase
Although Tiger Roll will not be taking part in the 2022 Grand National, there will be a former winner in the field. Last year’s champion Minella Times is set to defend his crown and look to add his name to the history books by becoming a repeat winner.
Henry De Bromhead’s runner prevailed by just over six lengths back in April. He powered home at the end of the marathon trip under the hands of Rachael Blackmore. The Irish rider ended the wait for a female-winning jockey in the race.
This year’s contest has been the target once again for Minella Times this season. His trainer has run him twice this campaign, and those outings have been used to prep him for Aintree. He came down in the John Durkan Memorial Chase at Punchestown, while on his latest outing, he was pulled up at Leopardstown.
The task facing Minella Times this year is going to be more difficult. The handicapper has handed him 15lb more on his back. He is now rated 161, with only four horses in the latest declarations having a higher mark (Conflated, Galvin, Melon and Chris’s Dream). If those runners don’t stay in the final declarations, he would have to race off top weight this year.
The final field for the 174th Grand National will be known 48 hours prior to the race. There is £1 million in prize money up for grabs again on the feature contest of the three-day meeting at Aintree.