Farewell, champ: Tiger Roll edged out by Delta Work on final run

Farewell, champ: Tiger Roll edged out by Delta Work on final run

By Racing TV
Last Updated: Thu 21 Dec 2023
Tiger Roll, left, and Delta work fight out the finish (focusonracing.com)
The fairytale ending was not to be. Tiger Roll could not sign off his fabulous career with victory in the Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase at Cheltenham, yet he went out on his shield in typically, utterly valiant fashion, with a gallant second-place finish behind stablemate Delta Work.
The Gordon Elliott-trained Tiger Roll, a dual Grand National winner, was attempting to win the three-and-three-quarter-mile race for a fourth time and was sent off the 3-1 second-favourite.
Yet with the ground officially changed to heavy after the Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase, the chances of emulating Quevega's record six Cheltenham Festival victories diminished with every drop of rain.
Watch a full replay of a thrilling race
The Aintree and Cheltenham great, who was having the 45th and final run of a career which started in 2014 and earned owner Michael O'Leary over £1.4 million in prize-money, failed to read the script, however.
Davy Russell's mount was travelling so well when taking it up at the 24th of the 32 fences and the 12-year-old former Triumph Hurdle winner looked to briefly have the 5-2 market leader in trouble jumping the second-last.
But Delta Work, on his first try over the cross-country fences, was always close enough under Jack Kennedy, and slowly, with every stride, inched closer and eventually put his head in front 200 yards from the line to go score by three-quarters of a length. Plan Of Attack was a further 21 lengths further back in third.
To an almighty cheer, both Both Delta Work and Tiger Roll were led in together.
Fabulous scenes at the finish
An emotional O'Leary said: "I really would have loved to see Tiger go out on a win. It's hard not be disappointed. You've a winner at Cheltenham and I'm disappointed.
"It's just a magical fairytale on ground that doesn't suit him. He's gone out on his shield, he's a warrior and that's a Gold Cup horse that has beat him and only just on ground he wouldn't like.
"I'm actually upset - I would have loved to see him win it."
He added: "This is his send-off - he owes us nothing. He's been wonderful to come back here for the six, seven, eight years.
"He's been the horse of a lifetime and in many ways Cheltenham has been his spiritual home. He's won five times here in Cheltenham. I know he's won two Grand Nationals, but he started here in Cheltenham.
O'Leary gives his verdict
"To start off winning the Triumph Hurdle here as a four-year-old, then win the National Hunt Chase and three cross-country races, it's incredible. He's a legend."
Gordon Elliott, trainer of Delta Work and Tiger Roll, said: “Of course, I wanted the Tiger to win but once I’d won the race I didn’t mind as it was for Gigginstown who are massive supporters of us – and the reception he got when he came into the ring is what it’s all about.
"He’s been the horse of a lifetime and I’m very lucky to have had him – he goes back to Michael O’Leary’s now. He’s been with us for nine years now and to be honest I had a tear in my eye there, it’s unbelievable. If he’d have won it would have been special but he ran his heart out and we’re absolutely delighted.
“We’ve always had faith in him and it’s brilliant, he’s really enjoyed the game and it’s a great result. The reaction from the crowd didn’t really surprise me to be honest and if he’d have won the cheer would have been unbelievable. He got the reaction he deserved and we’re very proud of him. He will be a big loss for the yard but he’ll only be at Gigginstown which is down the road, so they can go and see him whenever they want.
“The ground really suited Delta Work and it was a great performance from the winner – he can enjoy this race for a few years now.”

Emotional Russell pays tribute

An emotional Russell reflects on his final dance with Tiger Roll
Davy Russell, rider of Tiger Roll, said: “He is a great horse and he has got a fitting send off so it is great. I always felt Jack breathing down my neck and I would say the rain and the ground just caught us out as Delta work is very effective on that ground and I’d say Tiger is not as effective on it.
“He went down on his sword the way he deserved to go down. You can see the public are fantastic. It doesn’t matter where they are from they are cheering both horses. It is such a marvellous sport we have and we are so lucky. He is just a marvellous horse.
“Tongue in cheek some people booed Delta Work and I didn’t think that was fair as he put in the same effort as Tiger so he deserved the plaudits.
“I don’t think I could have done any different. He likes to get to the front at some stage of the race at this age of his career as he likes to boss a race. I will miss him for sure but that is life and we move on and we live in the fast line.
“He is going to a good home and he has had a marvellous life and career and will be looked after where he is going.
“I’ve not ridden him that many times. I’ve been beaten on him twice and won three times on him. The first National was a bit heart and mouth stuff with the photo finish but the second one was marvellous. Today was marvellous. Any time you get clapped in and out is a special day.”

More reaction

Henry de Bromhead, trainer of third home Plan Of Attack, said: “He ran an absolute blinder - we’re delighted, and we’re delighted to be involved in it all. It was great to see Tiger Roll run like he did, but we’re delighted with our fella.”
Darragh O’Keefe, who was aboard third home Plan Of Attack, said: “Plan Of Attack ran a cracker. I had a good ride off him. He ran his race - the other two horses are rated a lot more highly than him, so we’re delighted.”
Copyright 2025 Racing TV - All Rights Reserved.
My Account
Home
Watch
Live
Replays
On Demand
Catch Up
Tv Schedule
RTV Play Schedule
Racecards
Racecards
Today's Runners
Non-Runners
Tommorow's Runners
Racing Calendar
Results
Tips
Racing TV Tipsters
Nap Of The Day
News
All
Latest
Highlights
Columnists
Most Viewed
Free Bets
Members
Benefits
Join Offers
RtvExtra
Club Days
Syndicate
Magazine
Rewards4Racing
Tracker
More
Racecourses
Profiles
Responsible Gambling
Racecourse Offers
Racing TV Syndicate
Casino Offers & Free Spins
RaceiQ
TV Authentication
Royal Ascot
Cheltenham Festival
Patch Time
DeviceID
Version
production-
Races
Tips
Watch
Results
Menu