Owner Michael O’Leary slams Tiger Roll’s ‘idiotic and absurd’ handicap mark as he confirms that the legendary two-time Grand National winner will be RETIRED after next month’s Cheltenham Festival
- Tiger Roll has won the Grand National twice, having triumphed in 2017 and 2018
- The horse’s owner is not happy with Tiger Roll’s new handicap rating of 161
- He has confirmed that Tiger Roll won’t race at this year’s Grand National
- He has also revealed that the horse will be retired after the Cheltenham Festival
Grand National icon Tiger Roll will be retired after the Cheltenham Festival next month, as confirmed by owner Michael O’Leary.
Tiger Roll became a household name when he won back-to-back Grand Nationals in 2017 and 2018.
O’Leary had previously stated that the horse would not compete at this year’s National at Aintree, after also missing the showpiece event in 2021.
Tiger Roll won the Grand National in 2017 and 2018 to become an iconic figure in the sport
He has outlined the reasoning behind his absence as he hit out at Tiger Roll’s handicap rating of 161.
‘I believe that’s an idiotic and absurd handicap rating,’ he told the Racing Debate, as quoted by Sky Sports.
‘This handicapper has now prevented the most popular horse in training running in the Grand National two years in a row. He has ruined a huge promotional opportunity that’s available to Aintree and the Grand National by having Tiger Roll trying to emulate Red Rum.
‘You cannot defy age. He will not be in the Grand National by the time he runs in the cross country – he’s coming out at the next forfeit stage.’
Tiger Roll also has an excellent record at the Cheltenham Festival, having won five races there
The legendary horse will be retired after the four-day festival, which takes place next month
O’Leary has now clarified that Tiger Roll will head into retirement in a matter of weeks.
‘Thankfully, the Tiger Roll controversy will never happen again because he will be retired after the cross-country race in Cheltenham this year,’ he added.
Tiger Roll also has a remarkable record at Cheltenham, having previously won five races at the event.
He will be looking to sign off his racing career with another triumph in the Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase.
The four-day festival is due to take place between March 15-18.
