Tiger Roll on course for Cheltenham despite struggling at Navan

Tiger Roll’s preparations for next month’s Cheltenham Festival remain on course despite a disappointing showing in Navan at the weekend.

The Michael O’Leary owned two-time Grand National winner finished last out of a field of six runners in the Ladbrokes Boyne Hurdle at the Meath venue on Sunday.

Under Keith Donoghue, Tiger Roll started well and was in contention until early in the home straight before sharply dropping off the pace. In the end, he finished 48 lengths behind Decor Irlandais in fifth place.

The race was one by another Gigginstown House Stud horse, Beacon Edge, with studmate Fury Road in second place.

Speaking after the race, trainer Gordon Elliott said wasn’t too concerned about Tiger Roll’s final placing.

“Keith said he travelled well to the third last, in horrible ground, and just got tired.

“It’s still all systems go for Cheltenham. Keith said he was happy with him, but he just got tired in the ground. He’ll be OK.

“Of course you want him to run better, but he hated that ground.”

Tiger Roll will be going for his fifth win at Cheltenham next month when he runs in the Glenfarclas Chase, a race he won in both 2018 and 2019.