Tiger Roll plans up in the air despite entry for Ascot Grade 2 on Saturday

No decision has been made on whether Tiger Roll will take up his engagement in Saturday's Grade 2 Chanelle Pharma 1965 Chase at Ascot, although Gigginstown House Stud's Eddie O'Leary has indicated the Cheltenham legend is hoped to return shortly.

Absent since a well-beaten fourth in the Betway Bowl at Aintree in April, the two-time Grand National winner would be racing over the shortest distance he's competed at over fences since the 2017 Clonmel Oil Chase, although he did win at Saturday's 2m5f trip in the 2019 Boyne Hurdle.

Tiger Roll was initially handed an entry for last weekend's November meeting at Cheltenham but was not declared for the 3m3½f handicap chase won by Yala Enki on Sunday.

O'Leary said: "He's got an entry for Ascot this weekend but I don't know whether he'll run or not. We want him to run him somewhere shortly and that'll be wherever Gordon [Elliott] decides."

Tiger Roll featured among 11 in the quality event alongside fellow Grade 1 winners Defi Du Seuil, Dashel Drasher, Lostintranslation, Franco De Port and Itchy Feet, with all bar the latter yet to make an appearance this season.

There's also an interesting cast in the entries for the Grade 2 Coral Hurdle over 2m3½f, headed by recent Cesarewitch hero Buzz and Goshen, who missed the Elite Hurdle due to drying ground.

Song For Someone and If The Cap Fits, winners of this race for the past three seasons, could also feature.

Top-level scorer Stormy Ireland adds further intrigue as a Willie Mullins-trained representative. Ireland's champion trainer has not had a runner in this race since landing the prize in back-to-back seasons with Annie Power and Faugheen in 2013 and 2014.

Conditions were described as good to soft, good in places at Ascot on Monday. The forecast suggests occasional light showers are possible on Tuesday and Wednesday, but overall mild and generally dry weather is expected through to Saturday.

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