Dual Grand National hero Tiger Roll recovering well and on course for Aintree hat-trick bid

GORDON ELLIOTT has revealed Tiger Roll is recovering well from his operation and a crack at a historic third win in the Grand National is very much on his agenda.

Tiger Roll underwent a procedure to remove a chip in a joint and is currently on box rest but Elliott is confident he will be fit to try and join Red Rum as a triple winner of the Aintree showpiece.

The Boyne Hurdle in February is an option for his return but Elliott is not worried if his popular chaser heads straight to Cheltenham for the Cross Country instead.

Elliott said: "The procedure he had went well. He's on box rest until Thursday week, when the bandage will come off and he'll start back walking.

"He'll be walking for three weeks then, all being well, he'll be back cantering after that. He was in full fitness and almost ready to run when it happened. It's not ideal, but if it had happened in January or February it would have been a lot worse.

"The Boyne Hurdle is where we'd love to go, but if he doesn't get there then he could just go straight to Cheltenham for the Cross Country."

Owner Michael O'Leary has suggested that if the handicapper was harsh on Tiger Roll then he may not run at Aintree, but Elliott is not taking the threat too seriously.

He added: "The Randox Grand National is the plan. Obviously Michael O'Leary owns him and will make the final decision, but in my mind this is the race I've been training him for since last year.

"To be honest, he carried 11st 5lb last year, we know he's going to have top weight, we're not stupid. It's just how much the weights are compressed.

"The handicapper has a job to do, but I'm sure he's going to be fair with everyone.

"We're almost certain he's going to have to carry 11st 10lb, but would he have won with another 5lb last year? I think he probably would.

"It's the Grand National, I know what can happen in a Grand National. When you go to Cheltenham there's a lot of pressure, but going to Aintree, it's just great to be there. There's pressure but of a different kind.

"Anything can happen in the National, that's what makes it the race it is, but the build up to the race will be second to none."

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