'These things happen' - handicapper shrugs off end of Tiger Roll's National bid

Handicapper Martin Greenwood stood his ground after Tiger Roll was withdrawn from the Randox Grand National due to alleged "unfair" treatment and shrugged "that's racing".

Michael and Eddie O'Leary had been vocal in their criticism of the way the dual National winner was currently rated from well before the weights were revealed last month and have now carried out their threat to withdraw him from Aintree.

Greenwood, whose weights asked Tiger Roll to race off a BHA mark of 166 on April 10, said: "Mr and Mr O'Leary did say if he didn't get a mark in the 150s they weren't going to run. They've stuck to their words, albeit two weeks later. It's entirely their decision, owners and trainers enter and withdraw horses all the time and this is just another instance."

Asked about the O'Learys' claim that Tiger Roll was weighted unfairly, Greenwood said: "They've stuck to that particular hymn sheet for approximately two years now and I've stuck to my particular hymn sheet – they're entitled to their opinion and, as I said at the weights launch, I'm entitled to just carry on as normal.

"Potential history could have been made but that's racing, these things happen and will always continue to happen."

Read more on the Tiger Roll Grand National saga:

'Tiger Roll's rating is very fair' – Ruby Walsh on the Grand National weights

Tiger Roll on course for Cheltenham despite trailing in last in Boyne Hurdle

Tiger Roll may skip historic Grand National bid and take in Irish version

Martin Greenwood: 'I'm perfectly entitled not to listen to their opinion'

Tiger Roll withdrawn from Grand National due to 'unfair weight'

One-time Cheltenham Gold Cup hope Presenting Percy was also taken out at the first scratching stage for the National in which 90 horses now stand their ground.

Others withdrawn include Becher Chase faller Aso and the O'Learys' Champagne Classic, who has not run since 2019.

Randox Grand National card and betting

Dual Becher Chase runner-up Kimberlite Candy could complete his Aintree build-up in Saturday's bet365 Premier Chase at Kelso.

"We'll monitor the ground," said trainer Tom Lacey. “He does have a good record fresh, but you must not underestimate the need for match practice, so we’ll take stock and then make a decision whether to have a prep run."

The nine-year-old Kimberlite Candy has 10st 10lb in the National, for which he is a best-priced 16-1, and Lacey said: "A host of recent winners have carried between 10st 10lb and 11st 6lb, and he’s in that range, so statistically he's got a chance.

"He's the right age and has got proven form around there, so he goes there with a big chance.

Kimberlite Candy: 'He's the right age and has got proven form around there, so he goes there with a big chance'Credit: Alan Crowhurst

"The Grand National was always the target from the moment he came back in from his summer break. We'll be hoping for some April showers, but he'd manage on good to soft. He's a much stronger animal than he was this time last year.

"I think he's the finished article now whereas last year he was still improving – he hit the line very hard in the Classic Chase [in January 2020] and I feel he's strengthened up even more on the back of another summer.

"I hope he's got a chance. In the Becher Chase this season he was a bit clumsy over the first, but thereafter his jumping was very accurate.”

In Tiger Roll's absence, the National betting is headed generally by Ladbrokes Trophy winner Cloth Cap, who is a best-priced 14-1.

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