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Tiger Roll becomes first since Red Rum to land back-to-back Grand Nationals

Davy Russell celebrates Tiger Roll's victory in the Grand National
Davy Russell celebrates Tiger Roll's victory in the Grand NationalCredit: Edward Whitaker

We have a new Aintree legend. Tiger Roll became the first horse since Red Rum in 1974 to win back-to-back Grand Nationals with a superb performance in the hands of Davy Russell.

The 4-1 market leader – the shortest-priced winning favourite since Poethlyn 100 years ago – saw off Magic Of Light in second spot, with the Ruby Walsh-ridden Rathvinden in third. Walk In The Mill was fourth and Anibale Fly fifth.

The victory was a third in the race for trainer Gordon Elliott and owners Gigginstown House Stud. Russell was also recording a second success in the race after last year's win.

Tiger Roll books his place in the history books by winning the Grand National
Tiger Roll books his place in the history books by winning the Grand NationalCredit: Alex Livesey

Winning owner Michael O'Leary, of Gigginstown, said: "It's fantastic. He's got to a stage where we want to mind him and every time he runs you think, 'Oh my God, please don't let anything happen to him'.

"He's unbelievable and to win two Grand Nationals is incredible. It's also a great result for the punters."

It is almost hard to believe in a 40-runner handicap, but from quite far out it was as if the result wasn't in doubt. Tiger Roll was sensational. He was running away turning into the straight and he simply had to get over the last two fences to win.

Stamina was not going to be an issue once he took it up so well was he going and Magic Of Light's mistake at the last sealed it. As was the case last year, he was slowing down on the run-in, but he had more than enough lengths in hand to hold them off this time. It was an awesome performance oozing class from the little superstar.

He's done it again: Tiger Roll slams his rivals to win the Grand National for a second successive year
He's done it again: Tiger Roll slams his rivals to win the Grand National for a second successive yearCredit: Edward Whitaker

Magic Of Light ran a fabulous race in second despite making a couple of significant errors, while Rathvinden, who travelled well under Walsh, also made a few mistakes.

It was a 1-2-3 for Ireland, another great result for the raiding party, with Becher Chase victor Walk In The Mill preventing them from having the first five home.

Sadly, Up For Review, who came down at the first fence, suffered a fatal injury.


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James HillTipster

Published on 6 April 2019inBritain

Last updated 20:06, 6 April 2019

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