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10-1 shot Tiger Roll holds on in Grand National thriller
Result – 2018 Randox Health Grand National Handicap Chase (Grade 3)
Tiger Roll 10-1
Pleasant Company 25-1
Bless The Wings 40-1
Anibale Fly 10-1
Milansbar 25-1
Road To Riches 33-1
Distances: Hd, 11l, nk; Time: 9m 40.10s (slow by 36.10s); Unplaced Fav: Total Recall 7/1F
Tiger Roll held on in a thrilling finish to beat long-time leader Pleasant Company in the Randox Health Grand National for Gordon Elliott and Davy Russell.
The smallest horse in the field, who has won three times at the Cheltenham Festival in his career, showed that he relishes unorthodox fences, although the Cross-Country Chase star found the line just coming in time as he emptied quickly on the run-in under Russell in the heavy ground at Aintree.
The eight-year-old travelled supremely well throughout the gruelling test over an extended 4m2f and drew clear of the Willie Mullins-trained runner-up after the last, only for Pleasant Company to rally and only just fail to get up.
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The result went to a photograph and for Russell, who lost his mother recently, it was an emotional success.
The winning jockey said: “I was afraid he wouldn’t take to it, as he’s very economical with his jumping. They’ve done a marvellous job with this horse.
“What can I say. I’ve won this race a thousand times in my head. As a kid, this was always my favourite day. I’m thinking about my dad, cutting the grass. This was the only day of the year I enjoyed picking it up as we used to use the grass as National fences – I’d won this race a thousand times in my dreams as a child, and I’m just thinking of my kids at home now that I’m taking part in this wonderful event that I love so much.
“It’s just amazing to have finally done it. Credit to Gordon and his team, the owners and everybody at home.”
Elliott, who previously won the race in 2007 with Silver Birch, added: “It’s unbelievable. Tiger Roll is a yard favourite. It’s great for the yard, for Gigginstown (House Stud, owners), for everyone.”
He added: “I was nervous when they announced the photo-finish – I thought I had it but you are so nervous watching it. I can’t believe it, to be honest. I’ve said I didn’t appreciate it first time round [with Silver Birch] – I’ll definitely appreciate it now. This is brilliant for the whole yard, for my family at home, everyone.”
The winner is owned by Michael O’Leary, chief executive of Ryanair, Europe’s largest budget airline, who gained his first Grand National Rule The World scored for trainer Mouse Morris.
O’Leary said: “I was bloody panicking at the line! It was very close at the end and a well-judged ride by Davy. It’s a phenomenal training feat by Gordon.
“This was a horse – he’s a rat of a little thing – we bought to hopefully run in the Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham, which he won. Now he has gone back (to the Cheltenham Festival) and won the four-miler and the Cross Country, and now to win the greatest steeplechase of all, it’s phenomenal.
“It’s beyond my wildest dreams. I am very fond of this horse now – I’m thinking of adopting him as my fifth child!”
He added: “Some people don’t think I have a heart but I can tell you it was beating very hard and very fast for the last 100 yards if that race!”
He went on to praise Elliott for a “remarkable training feat” and expressed his delight for Davy Russell who has “been one of the best jockeys in Ireland the for the past five to 10 years.”
He added: “We’ve had our differences, but he’s always come back better and stronger. And this is a fantastic way for him to win his first National. I’m so pleased for him. At 38 years old, he’s towards the end of his career and he deserves this.”
Winner of the National on his first ride in 2016, jockey David Mullins was philosophical after going so close aboard Pleasant Company.
He said: “That happens, that’s racing, well done to the other team. He probably did a little too much with me but I had to let him go after jumping the Chair, he just winged fences. Davy went by me at the second-last on a fresh horse and I said I can’t really go with him, I’m not going to win the race to the Elbow so we’ll get to there and have one crack at him after the Elbow. I just wanted him to keep going to the winning post!”
Mullins added: “You hope and you pray but in my heart I knew I was beaten. In a war of attrition like that all you want is another stride. That’s racing and I’m very lucky that I won it two years ago. It’s two years since I had an experience like that. He ran his heart out.
Elliott was responsible for the third, Bless the Wings, and with Gold Cup third Anibale Fly running a massive race under a huge weight to finish fourth, it gave Ireland an astonishing 1-2-3-4 clean sweep.
Milansbar was best of the Brits in fifth under Bryony Frost, with Road To Riches sixth.
Although just 12 finished, owing to the very testing conditions, there were no fatalities in the race for the sixth consecutive year, although Saint Are was treated in the Aintree stables. Charlie Deutsch (rider of Houblon Des Obeaux), also underwent treatment in the medical room following his fall.
Bookmakers Paddy Power make Tiger Roll a 33-1 shot to win the 2019 Grand National.
