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Cheltenham Festival

Elliott 'very happy' as Tiger Roll schools over Cheltenham cross-country fences

Tiger Roll and Keith Donoghue en route to victory in the 2019 Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase
Tiger Roll and Keith Donoghue en route to victory in the 2019 Glenfarclas Cross Country ChaseCredit: Patrick McCann

Tiger Roll's big-race preparation stepped up a gear on Friday as the dual Grand National winner returned to Cheltenham for a schooling session over Prestbury Park's famous cross-country fences under Keith Donoghue.

"He's come over for a trip away and he's had a nice school around," said trainer Gordon Elliott.

"We were very happy with him. He just jumped a few hedges, which is what we've done with him for the last couple of years now. Keith was very happy with him too."

Elliott's stable star, who finished fifth in the Boyne Hurdle after a 316-day absence, has won the last two runnings of the Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase, and is a best-priced 11-10 to bring up the hat-trick on day two of the festival.

Victory in the Cross Country Chase would bring Tiger Roll's festival tally to five wins having also landed the 2014 Triumph Hurdle and 2017 National Hunt Chase.

Donoghue has won three races on Tiger Roll, including the last two runnings of the Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase, and Elliott confirmed the rider would again be in the saddle at next month's festival.


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James ThomasSales correspondent

Published on 21 February 2020inCheltenham Festival

Last updated 15:23, 21 February 2020

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