Your Grand National live stream 2022 will be missing Tiger Roll and a historic attempt to win his third Grand National at Aintree after owner Michael O’Leary withdrew the horse from the race, citing his “absurd” handicap.
The two-time Grand National winner was given a handicap rating of 161 at Tuesday’s lunch in Liverpool, the same rating as 2021 winner Minella Times.
That means Tiger Roll will have to carry at least 11st 4lb, a weight that could increase if leading horses drop out of the race, such as stablemates Galvin and Conflated, who are both expected to run in the Cheltenham Gold Cup.
Owner O’Leary, who also withdrew the horse from the race in 2021 due to his rating of 166, which he described as “clearly unfair”, lashed out at BHA chief jumping expert Martin Greenwood after the weights were announced.
“This ranking is absurd and unfair to a 12-year-old hunter,” the Gigginstown House Stud boss told the Racing Post.
It’s a shame the handicapper won’t give Tiger Roll a fair mark, or a fair weight in the Grand National at Aintree, where he could at least try to emulate Red Rum’s three Grand National wins.
“However, it is the handicapper who sets the weights, and even if he is blatantly wrong in Tiger Roll’s case, there is nothing we can do about it, other than withdraw him from the race, as we don’t think it is safe or fair to ask him to carry a weight close to the maximum at 12.”
“As we are responsible for Tiger Roll’s welfare, we must protect him from the silly opinion of this handicapper.”
“We therefore regret to announce that he will not be competing in this year’s Grand National.”
“Instead, Tiger Roll will be trained for the Cross Country race at Cheltenham, and it is highly likely that, whether he wins, loses or draws, this will be his last appearance on a racecourse.”
Tiger Roll is said to be seeking a third victory in the race, matching Red Rum, who won the race in 1973, 1974 and 1977.
Earlier in the day, Greenwood gave his reasoning for the handicap mark awarded to Tiger Roll. “I gave in a little bit with Tiger Roll and he went down to 161 from 166 last year, which is five kilos less”, he said.
“As I keep saying, you can’t ignore his win in the Cheltenham Cross Country last season, which was less than 12 months ago, when he easily beat two good horses in Easysland and Some Neck.”
“Both he and Minella Times – the two previous winners from the entries – are on 161.”
