Tiger tired after Cheltenham second place finish

Three-in-a-row Aintree Grand National-chasing Tiger Roll had to settle for the runner-up position in the Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase today on Day Two of the Cheltenham Festival.

The Tiger Roll had a Festival tally of four wins (two in the Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase, one in the JCB Triumph Hurdle and one in the National Hunt Chase), but today with his regular Cheltenham partner Keith Donoghue on board finished second to the JP McManus-owned Easysland.

However, Tiger Roll's trainer Gordon Elliott was not in any way disheartened with the run after the 8/11 favourite finished 17 lengths behind the David Cottin-trained Easysland.

Jockey Donoghue dismounted Tiger Roll at the finish and the horse was taken back to the stables without entering the enclosure.

"We are delighted. We are obviously disappointed that we didn't win, but I said before the race that the ground was a big worry," said the Summerhill man.

"Once he (Tiger Roll) is okay in the morning, that is all I care about. It was perfect (ahead of the Aintree National) and we are delighted"
 
"He's 100 per cent, just tired after the race," added Elliott.

There was better fortune for Elliott in the next race, the £80,000 Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3), which was won by the JP McManus-owned Aramax

The Elliott-trained Queens Brook, which is owned by Navan business couple Noel Moran / Valerie Moran, ran a good race in the Champion Bumper to finish a close third to the Willie Mullins-trained duo Ferny Hollow (winner) and Appreciate It (second and 15/8 favourite). 

After the first two days Elliott now has three winners to his credit while Barry Geraghty also has three winners.

Owner JP McManus had four winners today to add to the one he had yesterday in the Champion Hurdle.