D-day for Tiger Roll as connections eagerly await Tuesday's weights announcement

The weights for the 2020 Randox Health Grand National are set to be revealed on Tuesday afternoon with the participation of dual winner Tiger Roll reportedly hinging on what rating the handicapper allots him.

Michael and Eddie O'Leary of Gigginstown House Stud, the owners of the first horse in 45 years to win back-to-back Nationals, have indicated they will reconsider running the ten-year-old if the rating he is allowed to run off by the BHA handicapper is not compressed to what they believe is an acceptable level.

They will find out if their persistent pleas to have Tiger Roll's rating compressed for a third crack at the Grand National is successful or not at St George's Hall in Liverpool as the weights for the world's most famous race are revealed.

Tiger Roll, who is set to reappear at Navan on Sunday, is just over nine minutes away from racing immortality as victory at Aintree on the first Saturday in April would see him emulate Red Rum in becoming only the second horse to win three Grand Nationals. He would become the first to win three in a row.

History is within touching distance of the pint-sized pocket rocket but Eddie O'Leary, racing manager for owners Gigginstown House Stud, said: "Whether Tiger Roll runs in the Grand National or not very much depends on the handicapper. We're not playing games, not at all. See More Business was compressed 8lb in 2001, Exotic Dancer was compressed 8lb in 2009, and in 2010 Albertas Run was 5lb lower.

"More recently, Synchronised in 2012 was 6lb lower, in 2013 Tidal Bay was compressed 11lb and the following year by 7lb. In 2015 Carlingford Lough was compressed 5lb and Bristol De Mai was 5lb lower last year. What does that tell you?"

O’Leary added: "We would love to see Tiger there. Racing would love to have him, as would Aintree, so it's up to the BHA now. They've compressed the race by 8lb on average for the past ten years."

Back in November, Michael O'Leary said the chances of Tiger Roll turning up at Aintree for a third time were between "slim and none".

Tiger Roll's rating and weight will be the main focus of attention on Tuesday with the ten-year-old 5-1 favourite with most firms for the race.

Keith Donoghue has not ridden Tiger Roll to his two Grand National victories, that privilege has been Davy Russell's, but he has been in the saddle for his six other outings since November 2017 and he reports the superstar chaser to be in rude health ahead of his eagerly awaited return to action in the Ladbrokes Boyne Hurdle at Navan on Sunday.

The Tiger Roll tantrums have returned, a very good sign according to Donoghue who reports him to be none the worse for the injury which ruled him out of the first half of the season. He had a chip removed from a joint in mid-November.

Time for a bath: Tiger Roll gets hosed down after morning excercise at Cullentra House Stables by Keith DonoghueCredit: Patrick McCann

Donoghue said on Monday: "I rode out Tiger Roll this morning and he felt great. He was feisty. He was back bucking and kicking and playing around with everyone and that's always a great sign. I love to see that.

"He has never been a great work horse, so you won't see him doing any handstands on the gallops or anything like that, but he felt every bit as good this morning as he did last year. Age definitely isn't catching up with him. He's loving life and young at heart."

Donoghue, who has been on board Tiger Roll for both wins in the Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase at Cheltenham, says he would be retired by now if it were not for Gordon Elliott's stable star.

The jockey said: "He means everything to me. I wouldn't still be riding only for him. I haven't been told whether I am riding him or not at Navan on Sunday but, if I am, it will be some thrill."

Read more if you like this:

Gigginstown 'not playing games' over Tiger Roll's Grand National participation

Grand National weights: this is what the handicapper should do with Tiger Roll

Michael O'Leary: ruthless in business and unlikely to leave racing world quietly

Donald McCain: Tiger Roll wouldn't have jumped round Aintree in Red Rum's day

Williams relaxed over National requirements for potential Potters Corner partner

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