Gigginstown to wait and see before committing Tiger Roll to National

Gigginstown's Eddie O'Leary said on Saturday that a call will not be made on Tiger Roll's Aintree Grand National participation until closer to the time.

After recording back-to-back wins in the Cross Country Chase at Cheltenham on Wednesday, Tiger Roll's odds shortened to a general 6-1 to defend his crown on April 6.

One of seven horses to carry the maroon and white of Ireland’s champion owners to victory at the festival in 2018, Tiger Roll was Gigginstown's sole success at Cheltenham this year.

"Tiger Roll is an absolute superstar and we were delighted with him in the cross-country," said O'Leary. "We haven’t even begun thinking about what we’ll do with him next but I know Michael is concerned about what’s best for the horse.

"Hopefully, if everything goes to plan, we’ll go back to Aintree for the Grand National but we’ll just wait and see with him."

Reflecting on the festival, O’Leary added: "We didn't have a bad week at all. We had seven winners last year when the ball bounced in our favour and we knew that would never happen for us again.

"We were aiming for one winner and we got it so we’re absolutely thrilled. We had three seconds, five thirds and a lot of the horses ran well, which was great."

Apple’s Jade scoped dirty

There was no initial explanation for the defeat of Apple's Jade in the Champion Hurdle but it has been revealed the ten-time Grade 1-winning mare scoped dirty after finishing sixth to Espoir D'Allen.

Apple's Jade: the 10-time Grade 1 winner will start back in the Lismullen Hurdle at Navan on SundayCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

O’Leary explained: “She scoped dirty after the race. We know she’s a lot better than that and, given she scoped rotten afterwards, that’s enough of a reason to say she didn’t run up to scratch.

“We’re not looking for any excuses but the fact is she was in season last year and scoped dirty this year.”

He added: “Maybe she’s not mad about travelling. We knew the writing was on the wall a long way from home as she was beaten passing the stands on the first circuit. It wasn’t the real Apple’s Jade.”

Percy due to be assessed

Presenting Percy is back in his stable at Pat Kelly's Galway-based yard with the extent of his lameness picked up when finishing down the field behind Al Boum Photo in Friday's Gold Cup yet to be discovered, according to his owner Philip Reynolds.

Philip Reynolds on Presenting Percy's lameness: 'I'm hoping it’s not too serious.'Credit: Michael Steele (Getty Images)

Last year's RSA winner never seemed to be travelling with his usual zest before coming home at his own pace back in eighth, with Reynolds hoping the injury sustained is nothing too serious.

"That's racing – some great days and many bad ones,” Reynolds said. “He travelled home last [Friday] night and the vets gave him a pain killer injection before he left as he was lame behind.

"He's back in his stable and once the injection wears off we'll have him assessed. I'm hoping it’s not too serious," he added.

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