14th-Mar-2014

Message of 19th February 2014

I am backing Tiger Roll this morning for the Triumph Hurdle. The Gigginstown House horse is due to run in a Grade 2 race at Fairyhouse on Saturday, and it makes sense to back him now before he does.

His run in the Spring Hurdle to finish second to Guitar Pete has gone a little under the radar. He came under pressure early enough, just after jumping the second last flight, but there was a lot to like about the manner in which he responded to that pressure. He displayed a willing attitude there that will stand to him at Cheltenham.

He was the only horse who was able to give chase to Guitar Pete on the run to the final flight, with Ivan Grozny and Plinth behind him. Guitar Pete flew the final flight whereas Tiger Roll missed it and lost his hind legs at the back of it. If he had jumped the last a little better, such was the degree to which he was closing on Guitar Pete to the line, he might have got very close to him. As it was, he was only beaten two lengths.

As well as his willing attitude, Tiger Roll has bags of scope for progression. Winner of his maiden hurdle for Nigel Hawke at Market Rasen in November, it is significant that he was recruited to the Gigginstown team after that run. They obviously thought a lot of him. Also, his run in the Spring Hurdle was just his second ever run, and his first for Gordon Elliott. He could progress significantly for it.

It was also interesting that Elliott said after the Leopardstown race that the Triumph Hurdle was the plan. The trainer obviously thinks that there is plenty left to come. The Spring Juvenile has been a really good pointer to the Triumph Hurdle in recent years, producing two seconds and two winners in the last three years, and this year’s renewal was run in a good time. Tiger Roll is worth backing now for the Triumph at 20/1.

TIGER ROLL WON (ADV 20/1, SP 10/1)