Well, there we have it. Just weeks out from the 2021 Grand National, the racing world has been dealt a blow: Tiger Roll, the little legend with a heart the size of Aintree itself, will not be lining up to chase an unprecedented third consecutive victory.
For months, fans and pundits alike dared to dream of history in the making, but with the official word from Gigginstown House Stud, those dreams have been put to bed.
So, as the dust settles and we all get used to the idea of a National without its most famous contender, let’s take a look back at how we got here, why Tiger Roll won’t be running, and what this means for one of racing’s greatest fairytales.
Why We Love Tiger Roll
If you were a racing fan (or just someone who likes a good underdog story), you couldn’t help but root for him.
After all, Tiger Roll had already done what most thought impossible; he’d won back-to-back Grand Nationals in 2018 and 2019, joining the likes of the legendary Red Rum.
The world held its breath: could he really do the unthinkable and win three in a row?
Well, spoiler alert: it didn’t happen. But the story behind why is a wild ride, full of drama, debate, and a bit of heartbreak.
So, settle in, because this is the tale of Tiger Roll’s almost-historic hat-trick bid, and why it never quite came to pass.
The Making of a Legend
Before we get into the nitty-gritty, let’s set the stage. Tiger Roll wasn’t always destined for greatness.
Bred in Ireland by Gerry O’Brien, he was bought as a foal by Godolphin in 2007 but never raced for them.
Instead, he bounced around a bit before landing with Michael O’Leary’s Gigginstown House Stud and trainer Gordon Elliott. From there, things really took off.
Tiger Roll’s first taste of big-time success came at the Cheltenham Festival in 2014, winning the Triumph Hurdle.
He’d go on to rack up four Cheltenham victories, showing he was more than just a one-trick pony (pun absolutely intended).
But it was the Grand National where he truly became a household name.
In 2018, with Davy Russell in the saddle, Tiger Roll edged out Pleasant Company in a photo finish at Aintree.
The following year, he did it again but this time as the favourite, and this time with a bit more breathing room, beating Magic of Light by over two lengths.
He’d become the first horse since Red Rum to win back-to-back Nationals, and the racing world was abuzz with the possibility of a third.
History Beckons: The Hat-Trick Hype
Now, let’s be clear: winning the Grand National once is a big deal. Twice? That’s the stuff of legends. But three times in a row? That’s unicorn territory.
Even Red Rum, the most famous National winner of all time, never managed three consecutive wins as his came in 1973, 1974, and 1977, with a couple of near-misses in between.
So, as 2020 approached, the question on everyone’s lips was: can Tiger Roll do it? The anticipation was palpable.
Bookmakers had him as the favourite, fans were already dreaming of history being made, and even trainer Gordon Elliott was cautiously optimistic, planning a light campaign to keep Tiger Roll fresh for the big day. The stars seemed to be aligning.
The Weight of Expectation (and Actual Weight)
But, as any racing fan knows, the Grand National isn’t just about speed and stamina. It’s about weight.
No, not the “I had too much cake at Christmas” kind of weight, but the kind assigned by the official handicapper, designed to level the playing field.
The better the horse, the more weight they carry. And here’s where things started to get sticky.
Tiger Roll’s owner, Michael O’Leary, was adamant: if his horse was asked to carry too much weight, he wouldn’t run.
He’d seen what happened in previous years, with the handicapper piling on the pounds after each success.
In fact, after Tiger Roll’s Cross Country win at Cheltenham, his handicap was increased by 12lb – a move O’Leary thought was, let’s say, “overly enthusiastic”.
When the 2020 weights were announced, Tiger Roll was handed 11st 10lb, the same as his stablemate, Delta Work, a bona fide Gold Cup contender.
O’Leary wasn’t impressed: “To rate this horse as a winner of a Gold Cup is ridiculous,” he said, making it clear that running under that burden was a 50:50 call at best.
2020: The Year That Wasn't
As if the weight debate wasn’t enough, 2020 had another trick up its sleeve: the COVID-19 pandemic. For the first time since World War II, the Grand National was cancelled. No thundering hooves, no roaring crowds, no chance for Tiger Roll to make history.
In a way, it was a blessing in disguise. Tiger Roll had a rushed prep for Cheltenham that spring, picked up a little injury, and was feeling the effects.
Trainer Gordon Elliott admitted he was tired after the festival, and maybe a break was what he needed.
But for racing fans, it was a bitter pill to swallow. The dream of three in a row was put on ice, not by a rival horse, but by a global pandemic.
2021: Hope Springs Eternal (Sort Of)
With 2020 lost, all eyes turned to 2021. Surely, this was the year? Tiger Roll was older, yes, but still a fan favourite and talked up by the best horse racing tipsters.
The prep was carefully planned, with connections eyeing both Cheltenham and Aintree. But the old weight debate reared its head again.
By now, Tiger Roll’s form had dipped. He’d been beaten soundly by Easysland in the 2020 Cheltenham Cross Country, and his subsequent runs were, let’s say, less than inspiring.
He had a sixth-place finish at Navan, a pulled-up effort at Cheltenham, and another disappointing run in the Boyne Hurdle.
Despite this, when the 2021 Grand National weights were announced, Tiger Roll was rated off 166, still high, given his recent form, and handed 11st 9lb.
O’Leary was having none of it. He’d made it clear: if Tiger Roll was rated in the 150s, he’d run. If not, he’d be withdrawn.
True to his word, Tiger Roll was scratched at the first declaration stage, and with that, the dream was over.
The Statement Heard Around the Racing World
The O’Leary camp released a statement that pulled no punches:
“We made clear that if Tiger Roll was rated in the 150s which is what his form and age now warrants, he would be allowed to run in this year’s National and go for a historic three in a row.
“However, the handicapper has decided to rate him on his reputation rather than his form – which we fully accept is his prerogative – but we have a duty of care to Tiger, and so we will not ask him to carry an unfair weight burden especially as he gets older and his form declines.
“We therefore regret to announce that Tiger Roll will be removed from the Grand National entries at Tuesday’s forfeit stage.
“We hope he will run next as planned in the cross-country race at Cheltenham, where we hope he will enjoy himself and run well.
“After that, we will consider his future wellbeing, which may involve retirement if his handicap mark is not adjusted to more fairly reflect his age and form over the past two seasons.”
The reaction was mixed. Some fans applauded the decision, saying Tiger Roll’s welfare came first.
Others felt it was an overreaction, arguing that the handicapper had little choice but to give him the weight he did.
Even Ruby Walsh sided with the handicapper, Martin Greenwood, who stood by his decision: “They’ve stuck to that particular hymn sheet for approximately two years now and I’ve stuck to my particular hymn sheet – they’re entitled to their opinion and, as I said at the weights launch, I’m entitled to just carry on as normal.”
What If? The Great Racing “What Might Have Been”
So, why didn’t Tiger Roll go for three in a row? In the end, it was a perfect storm: a combination of weight debates, a global pandemic, declining form, and a fiercely protective owner. The stars simply didn’t align.
Would he have won if he’d run in 2020 or 2021? The entire country would have had a small bet on him. But, the reality is that we’ll never know. The Grand National is a race that laughs in the face of certainty.
But one thing’s for sure: Tiger Roll’s place in history is secure. He did what only a handful of horses have ever done, and he did it with style, heart, and a bit of cheeky charm.
The Legacy of Tiger Roll
As the dust settles, Tiger Roll’s story is a reminder of what makes racing so compelling. It’s not just about the winning bets (though those are nice).
It’s about the drama, the characters, the near-misses, and the moments that make you shout at the TV.
It’s about horses like Tiger Roll, who capture the imagination and remind us that sometimes, the journey is just as thrilling as the destination.
So, here’s to Tiger Roll: the little horse with a big heart, who almost did the impossible. He may not have won three Grand Nationals in a row, but he gave us a story for the ages.
And, let’s be honest, isn’t that what sport is all about?
With that, we close the book on Tiger Roll’s Grand National saga. Will another horse ever attempt three in a row? Maybe.
But until then, Tiger Roll’s name will always bring a smile, and maybe a wistful sigh, to racing fans everywhere.
