Leading Irish trainer Gordon Elliott has explained that he will aim his dual Grand National winner Tiger Roll at the 2021 renewal after the coronavirus outbreak forced the cancellation of the three-day meeting at Aintree this term.
Tiger Roll has taken the last two runnings of the Grand National and was all set after a decent second in the Cross Country Chase at Cheltenham to head to Aintree in April to become the first horse in the sport to land a hat-trick in the prestigious contest.
The 10 year old was a general 8/1 ante-post favourite to take the four mile two furlong contest, but on Monday evening it was announced by the BHA that due to the on going crisis in the world the event will be cancelled.
Elliott has won the Grand National three times during his career, starting with Silver Bitch in 2007 and obviously after that with Tiger Roll during the last two seasons.
(Credit Racing Post) The trainer was obviously frustrated that this year's renewal will no go ahead and said: “It's disappointing but everyone at Aintree and involved with it has to do what's right to get everything back on track. We're all on the one team.
"We were going to have a few runners in the race and were really looking forward to it. But from the chairman of Aintree to everyone underneath, they all have to make the right decision, and hopefully we'll be back next year [with Tiger Roll] and 100 per cent.
Speaking on BBC Radio 4's Today programme on Tuesday morning, Elliott added: “There's every chance of Tiger Roll competing next year. He doesn't have many miles on the clock.
“We'll be training him back for the Grand National again and I'll be taking it day by day. There's a lot of water to go under the bridge between now and then. We'll be keeping our head up and keeping him going.
"All we can do is dream. You never know what can happen. He's in good form and was all set for the National. But we're only one of 40 horses and we just have to keep going."