Tiger Roll set for Aintree return in Many Clouds Chase

Tiger Roll could return to action this weekend in the Unibet Many Clouds Chase at his beloved Aintree, with dual Cheltenham Gold Cup hero Al Boum Photo among his possible rivals.

A total of 13 horses are in the mix for the Grade Two contest, including the Nicky Henderson-trained duo of Fusil Raffles and Champ, another previous Gold Cup winner in Native River and Kim Bailey’s Imperial Aura.

Dan Skelton’s Protektorat, Simply The Betts from Paul Nicholls’ yard and last year’s winner Lake View Lad are also engaged, although the last-named is declared at Haydock on Wednesday.

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Two-time Grand National winner Tiger Roll returns this weekend

It is Tiger Roll, though, twice a winner of the Grand National and arguably still the best known horse in training, who racegoers would love to see in action, despite his advancing years.

“He’ll probably go to Aintree for the Grade Two at Aintree on Saturday,” said trainer Gordon Elliott. “Then he’ll go to the Boyne Hurdle and the cross country at Cheltenham.

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Al Boum Photo and Paul Townend riding to victory in the Savills Chase at Tramore last season

“He probably isn’t what he was, but if we can get him back to win another cross country it will be a dream come true.

“He’s a horse of a lifetime. Anyone that comes into the yard at Cullentra, he’s the first you see as he lives in the first stable and to have a horse like him around the place is unbelievable.

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“If you’re going to dream, we’d love to go back and win a third Grand National, but the stats don’t lie. It will be three years since he ran in a Grand National (by April 2022).

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Native River ridden by Richard Johnson (right) with Might Bite ridden by Nico de Boinville on their way to victory in the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 2018

“It’s not getting any easier for him, he’s not getting any younger and if you were to ask me, I’d love to win another cross country at Cheltenham with him. I think if he won it would bring the roof down.

“He’s a little superstar and I’m very lucky to have him.”

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A total of 26 remain in the Unibet Becher Chase, including Henry de Bromhead’s Chris’s Dream.

Elliott is likely to run Escaria Ten and Ravenhill, with Scottish National winner Mighty Thunder, Kimberlite Candy and Lord Du Mesnil others of note.

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