Tiger Roll team leaning towards Sandown outing over 'hot' Punchestown race

Dual Grand National hero Tiger Roll looks likely to make an appearance at Sandown's jumps season finale in the Grade 2 bet365 Oaksey Chase on Saturday, according to his owners.

The racing legend could run once more this season but Gigginstown House Stud racing manager Eddie O'Leary still has the option of keeping Tiger Roll in Ireland for the Ladbrokes Punchestown Gold Cup next week.

Oaksey Chase entries

O'Leary said: "Tiger Roll will run at either Sandown or Punchestown. Sandown would look the likelier of the two because he proved he is not a Grade 1 horse at Aintree so hopefully dropping in grade at Sandown will be a help.

"Punchestown looks like it will be a very hot race. He needs to run for the handicapper to reassess him so that's why we're running. We'll make a definite decision nearer to declaration time."

Eddie O'Leary: 'We’ll make a definite decision nearer to declaration time'Credit: Laura Green

An eventful season for the popular 11-year-old has included talk of retirement after being pulled up at Cheltenham in November before he returned to form in spectacular fashion by waltzing to a fifth festival success in the Cross Country Chase last month.

At that point he had already been ruled out of an attempt for a historic third straight Grand National after a dispute between his owners and the British handicapper, who allocated him a rating of 166 for the race.

Tiger Roll was instead aimed at Aintree's Grade 1 Betway Bowl but he could not keep up with the pace on that occasion and finished 92 lengths behind Clan Des Obeaux as fourth of five finishers.

Tiger Roll is 10-1 with the sponsors for the Oaksey Chase, with King George VI Chase winner Frodon heading the market for trainer Paul Nicholls, who saddled Black Corton to victory in the last running of the race two years ago.

Read more:

O'Leary: Tiger Roll goes to Aintree and there will be no humble pie if he wins

'What a bloody legend' – Tiger Roll joins elite club with fifth festival win

Tiger Roll: from the Triumph Hurdle to a Cross Country hat-trick

Nicky Henderson looking forward to taking wraps off Altior in Celebration Chase

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