Tiger Roll tops 106 entries for 2021 Randox Health Grand National at Aintree

Tiger Roll sits reassuringly atop of 106 entries for the 2021 Randox Health Grand National on Saturday April 10, the race in which he will hopefully bid to make racing history by emulating Red Rum and winning the world's most famous jumps race for a third time.

The 11-year-old heads the betting with the race's official betting partners, Betway.

Connections of the horse, however, continue to make negative noises about the prospect of him being asked to carry top-weight in the Aintree feature and have repeated the notion that he could be retired after the Cheltenham Festival.

Eddie O’Leary, racing manager for his owners, Gigginstown House Stud, said: “Touch wood, he’ll go for the Boyne Hurdle at Navan (February 21) next and then it will be the Cross-country chase at Cheltenham.

“I think the November run was just one of those days. We didn’t expect him to win or anything, but we didn’t think he’d run that bad. There was no reason for it. Maybe he had a headache, I couldn’t tell you.

“With regards to the National, he’s still got a crazy weight. For some unknown reason he has this crazy rating. He didn’t even appear in the end-of-season classifications last year, yet he’s got this rating of 168.

“When I queried it, I was told that was because it was a cross-country rating. Tiger Roll was beaten 17 lengths by Easysland off level weights (in March).

“I’ve always said 168 is crazy and there’s no point in running in the National unless he’s given a chance. We’d be absolutely thrilled if he could run to a mark of 168, but it makes no sense.

“Unless he’s given a chance he’ll probably be retired at Cheltenham if he runs badly, and maybe Cheltenham is the right place to retire him given his record there.”

Tiger Roll’s trainer Gordon Elliott has 16 entries in total. His contingent also includes proven Grade One performers Delta Work, Battleoverdoyen and Presenting Percy.

Trevor Hemmings also has three Grand National victories to his name courtesy of Hedgehunter (2005), Ballabriggs (2011) and Many Clouds (2015). His three entries in 2021 include impressive G3 Ladbrokes Trophy hero Cloth Cap (Jonjo O’Neill) as well as Lake View Lad (Nick Alexander), who took the Many Clouds Chase over the Mildmay Course in December.

Of the 106 entries, 43 are trained in Ireland and two in France. Other eyecatching entries for Ireland include Magic Of Light (Jessica Harrington), runner-up in 2019, Anibale Fly (Tony Martin), fourth in 2018 and fifth in 2019, 2019 G2 National Hunt Chase winner Any Second Now (Ted Walsh), Munster and Kerry National heroine Cabaret Queen (Willie Mullins) and 2019 Irish Grand National victor Burrows Saint(Willie Mullins).

Both French-trained entries hail from the yard of David Cottin and are headed by Easysland, who defeated Tiger Roll in the 2020 Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase at Cheltenham.

The Randox Grand National is the one major race to have eluded six-time and reigning champion trainer Nicky Henderson, although the master of Seven Barrows has twice saddled the runner-up courtesy of Zongalero (1979) and The Tsarevich (1987).

Henderson’s six entries this year are headed by 2020 Cheltenham Gold Cup second Santini and also include the intriguing OK Corral, a lightly-raced 11-year-old who has not been seen out since winning the Listed Sky Bet Chase at Doncaster just over a year ago.

Henderson’s great rival, 11-times champion trainer Paul Nicholls, landed the 2012 Grand National with Neptune Collonges. Nicholls’ two entries are Yala Enki, winner of the Grand National Trial at Haydock Park in 2018 and impressive when scoring at Taunton last month, plus Listed scorer Give Me A Copper.

In contrast to Henderson and Nicholls, Phil Middleton trains just a handful of horses at his base in Buckinghamshire. These include Golan Fortune, a Listed winner over hurdles at Cheltenham in 2019 who has been more than paying his way over fences this season, including when a close fourth in Grade One company in the Kauto Star Novices' Chase at Kempton Park.

Middleton said of the nine-year-old: “Golan Fortune is in fine form and the Grand National is definitely the plan if he can get in.

“He is off a mark of 142. We had a horse called Exitas a few years back who narrowly missed out on making the cut for the race.

“So, we will have to wait and see when the weights come out if he gets in, but it is definitely something we are considering strongly.

“Golan Fortune has had a really good season. He won really impressively on his first chase start at Ludlow where he impressed me with his jumping. He produced some great leaps in the closing stages, and we were delighted with that effort.

“He then went to Kempton and ran a really good race to be fourth in the Kauto Star Novices’ Chase. He made a mistake at the last and Kielan Woods thought that cost him any chance of finishing second or third. But to run like that in G1 company on his second start over fences was a fine effort.

“At Warwick last time, Kielan said he had a lot of horse underneath, but he made a mistake and it just dented his momentum. He was only beaten just over six lengths behind a smart horse in Next Destination.

“He is also entered in the National Hunt Chase at the Cheltenham Festival but he wouldn’t run in that and the Grand National.

“I have always thought the Grand National test would suit him. He always schooled well over fences and has shown how he has taken to them this season. I think the trip would also be right up his street, so it would be fantastic to have a horse in the Grand National."

Trainer Tom George went close to Grand National glory in 2015 with Saint Are, who only found Many Clouds too good. The same horse was also a fine third in 2017 behind One For Arthur.

George’s entry this year is Double Shuffle, who was second to Might Bite in the King George VI Chase at Kempton Park in 2017.

The 11-year-old was successful last time out when defeating fellow Randox Grand National aspirant Ami Desbois in a three-mile handicap chase at Kempton Parklast month. Double Shuffle ran as a seven-year-old in the 2017 Randox Grand National, when he was pulled up behind One For Arthur.

Gloucestershire-based George commented: “Double Shuffle has come down a lot in the weights since his previous run in the Grand National and he is now off 145 but he should get into the National.

“The plan is to now go back to Kempton later this month for what was the Racing Post Chase [the G3 Close Brothers Handicap Chase on 27 February]. He worked really well on Tuesday morning.

“He seems to have bounced back to form and he was very good at Kempton last time, but part of that is down to him having come down in the weights to make him competitive again.”

The COVID-19 pandemic sadly caused the cancellation of the 2020 Randox Grand National, although Potters Corner (Christian Williams) gave his connections the satisfaction of being announced the winner of the virtual contest broadcast on ITV.

Part-owned by Welsh rugby union international Jonathan Davies, Potters Corner landed the Coral Welsh Grand National in 2019 and shaped promisingly in his two starts this season, including when third in the Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap Chase at Cheltenham in November.

Another entry from Wales is Secret Reprieve, winner of this season’s Welsh National.

Other big names among the entries include Bristol de Mai, three-time winner of the Betfair Chase at Haydock Park, dual William Hill Becher Chase hero Vieux Lion Rouge, last season's Ultima Handicap Chase scorer The Conditional and Yorkhill, a dual Grade One winner at Cheltenham for his former handler Willie Mullins who bounced back to form last time out when taking the Listed Rehearsal Chase at Newcastle for current trainer Sandy Thomson.

The Randox Grand National is the only race in the calendar where Martin Greenwood, BHA Jump Handicappers' Team Leader, is able to deviate from official ratings when allotting weights. The weights for the Randox Grand National will be announced on Tuesday February 16 in a special broadcast live on Racing TV.

A Toi Phil (FR) 11 Teme Valley 2 Gary Moore

Acapella Bourgeois (FR) 11 Slaneyville Syndicate Willie Mullins IRE

Achille (FR) 11 Mrs Vida Bingham Venetia Williams

Aforementioned (FR) 8 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott IRE

Agusta Gold (IRE) 8 K.Leavy/F.W.Healy/L.Cribbin/Ms Mullins Margaret Mullins IRE

Ajas (FR) 7 Mr Ulf Sjoberg David Cottin FR

Al Roc (FR) 10 Comedy Club Partnership Dr Richard Newland

Alpha des Obeaux (FR) 11 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott IRE

Ami Desbois (FR) 11 The Reserved Judgment Partnership Graeme McPherson

Anibale Fly (FR) 11 Mr John P. McManus Tony Martin IRE

Another Venture (IRE) 10 Racing For Maggie's Partnership Kim Bailey

Any Second Now (IRE) 9 Mr John P. McManus Ted Walsh IRE

Articulum (IRE) 11 Martin McDonagh/Paul G Murphy/M J Nixon Terence O'Brien IRE

Aso (FR) 11 The Bellamy Partnership Venetia Williams

Balko des Flos (FR) 10 Gigginstown House Stud Henry de Bromhead IRE

Ballyoptic (IRE) 11 Mills & Mason Partnership Nigel Twiston-Davies

Battleoverdoyen (IRE) 8 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott IRE

Beau Bay (FR) 10 Mr Peter Green & Dr RDP Newland Dr Richard Newland

Bellow Mome (FR) 10 Mrs Audrey Turley Willie Mullins IRE

Bellshill (IRE) 11 D & D Armstrong Ltd & Mr L Westwood Sandy Thomson

Beware The Bear (IRE) 11 Mr G. B. Barlow Nicky Henderson

Blaklion (GB) 12 Darren & Annaley Yates Dan Skelton

Brahma Bull (IRE) 10 Mrs S. Ricci Willie Mullins IRE

Bristol de Mai (FR) 10 Mr Simon Munir & Mr Isaac Souede Nigel Twiston-Davies

Burrows Saint (FR) 8 Mrs S. Ricci Willie Mullins IRE

Cabaret Queen (GB) 9 Syndicates Racing Willie Mullins IRE

Canelo (IRE) 8 Mr John P. McManus Alan King

Cap du Nord (FR) 8 The Can't Say No Partnership Christian Williams

Captain Drake (IRE) 8 Gary Stevens and Brian and Sandy Lambert Harry Fry

Champagne Classic (IRE) 10 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott IRE

Chris's Dream (IRE) 9 Robcour Henry de Bromhead IRE

Class Conti (FR) 9 Mr Simon Munir/Mr Isaac Souede Willie Mullins IRE

Cloth Cap (IRE) 9 Mr Trevor Hemmings Jonjo O'Neill

Crievehill (IRE) 9 Highclere T'Bred Racing- Crievehill Nigel Twiston-Davies

Death Duty (IRE) 10 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott IRE

Definitly Red (IRE) 12 Phil & Julie Martin Brian Ellison

Deise Aba (IRE) 8 Mr Trevor Hemmings Philip Hobbs

Delta Work (FR) 8 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott IRE

Discorama (FR) 8 Thomas Friel/Andrew Gemmell Paul Nolan IRE

Double Shuffle (IRE) 11 Crossed Fingers Partnership Tom George

Dounikos (FR) 10 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott IRE

Easysland (FR) 7 Mr John P. McManus David Cottin FR

Fagan (GB) 11 Mr Ben Brackenbury Alex Hales

Farclas (FR) 7 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott IRE

Fingerontheswitch (IRE) 11 Cahill, Atwell & Crofts Neil Mulholland

Fitzhenry (IRE) 9 Mr John P. McManus Paul Nolan IRE

Flying Angel (IRE) 10 Mr R. J. Rexton Nigel Twiston-Davies

Give Me A Copper (IRE) 11 Done, Ferguson, Mason, Nicholls & Wood Paul Nicholls

Glen Forsa (IRE) 9 Mr T. P. Radford Mick Channon

Golan Fortune (IRE) 9 P Middleton, M Lowther Phil Middleton

Gold Present (IRE) 11 Mr and Mrs J. D. Cotton Nicky Henderson

Hear No Evil (IRE) 9 Mr Patrick Joseph McCartan Noel Kelly IRE

Hogan's Height (IRE) 10 Foxtrot Racing: Hogan's Height Jamie Snowden

Hold The Note (IRE) 7 Mr T. P. Radford Mick Channon

Jerrysback (IRE) 9 Mr John P. McManus Philip Hobbs

Jett (IRE) 10 Mr Robert Waley-Cohen Jessica Harrington IRE

Kauto Riko (FR) 10 Mr and Mrs J.Dale and Partners Tom Gretton

Keeper Hill (IRE) 10 McNeill Family Warren Greatrex

Kimberlite Candy (IRE) 9 Mr John P. McManus Tom Lacey

Lake View Lad (IRE) 11 Mr Trevor Hemmings Nick Alexander

Le Breuil (FR) 9 Mrs Emma Palmer Ben Pauling

Lord du Mesnil (FR) 8 Mr Paul Porter & Mike & Mandy Smith Richard Hobson

Magic of Light (IRE) 10 Ann & Alan Potts Limited Jessica Harrington IRE

Milan Native (IRE) 8 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott IRE

Minella Times (IRE) 8 Mr John P. McManus Henry de Bromhead IRE

Minellacelebration (IRE) 11 Mr Nick Elliott Katy Price

Mister Malarky (GB) 8 Wendy & Malcolm Hezel Colin Tizzard

Monbeg Notorious (IRE) 10 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott IRE

Moyhenna (IRE) 9 Mr R. V. Hennelly Denis Hogan IRE

Musical Slave (IRE) 8 Mr John P. McManus Philip Hobbs

Ok Corral (IRE) 11 Mr John P. McManus Nicky Henderson

One Style (FR) 11 The Four Bosses Venetia Williams

Plan of Attack (IRE) 8 Mr A. Halsall Henry de Bromhead IRE

Potters Corner (IRE) 11 All Stars Sports Racing & J Davies Christian Williams

Presenting Percy (GB) 10 Philip J. Reynolds Gordon Elliott IRE

Prime Venture (IRE) 10 Mrs Janet Davies Evan Williams

Pym (IRE) 8 Mrs Patricia Pugh Nicky Henderson

Roaring Bull (IRE) 8 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott IRE

Robin des Foret (IRE) 11 Byerley Racing Syndicate Willie Mullins IRE

Rocky's Treasure (IRE) 10 Mr J. Perriss Kim Bailey

Run Wild Fred (IRE) 7 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott IRE

Saint Xavier (FR) 9 Mr D. W. Fox Richard Hobson

Santini (GB) 9 Mr & Mrs R. Kelvin-Hughes Nicky Henderson

Saturnas (FR) 10 Mr Nick Peacock Willie Mullins IRE

Secret Reprieve (IRE) 7 Mr & Mrs William Rucker Evan Williams

Shantou Flyer (IRE) 11 David Maxwell Racing Limited Paul Nicholls

Shattered Love (IRE) 10 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott IRE

Some Neck (FR) 10 Some Neck Partnership John McConnell IRE

Soupy Soups (IRE) 10 Equi ex Incertis Partners Neil Mulholland

St Barts (IRE) 7 Mr & Mrs R. Kelvin-Hughes Philip Hobbs

Storm Control (IRE) 8 Mr Will Roseff Kerry Lee

Sub Lieutenant (IRE) 12 Ms G. Howell Georgie Howell

Takingrisks (IRE) 12 Mr Frank Bird Nicky Richards

Talkischeap (IRE) 9 Mr Charles Dingwall Alan King

The Conditional (IRE) 9 Mr P. J. Cave David Bridgwater

The Hollow Ginge (IRE) 8 The Ginge Army Nigel Twiston-Davies

The Jam Man (IRE) 8 Ronan M. P. McNally Ronan McNally IRE

The Long Mile (GB) 7 Mr John P. McManus Philip Dempsey IRE

The Storyteller (IRE) 10 Mrs Pat Sloan Gordon Elliott IRE

Tiger Roll (IRE) 11 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott IRE

Tout Est Permis (FR) 8 Gigginstown House Stud Noel Meade IRE

Treacysenniscorthy (IRE) 9 Paula Widger Robert Widger IRE

Valtor (FR) 12 Mr Simon Munir & Mr Isaac Souede Nicky Henderson

Vieux Lion Rouge (FR) 12 Prof Caroline Tisdall & Mr John Gent David Pipe

Yala Enki (FR) 11 Hills of Ledbury Ltd Paul Nicholls

Yorkhill (IRE) 11 D & D Armstrong Ltd & Mr L Westwood Sandy Thomson