Two-time Grand National winner Tiger Roll will be going all-out to grab an historic hat-trick of wins in the famous steeplechase, however the Gordon Elliott-trained runner will face a formidable home challenge from the likes of Walk In The Mill and Definitly Red.
Walk In The Mill won a second consecutive Randox Health Becher Chase over the fences at Aintree on Saturday, thus becoming the first horse ever to win back-to-back renewals of the noted Grand National trial race. The Robert Walford-trained runner finished fourth in the 2019 Grand National.
The 2020 Grand National line-up will likely include Definitly Red, the Brian Ellison-trained runner finishing fourth in the Becher despite carrying a weight of 11st 10lb and losing some ground when bypassing a fence due to a fallen and injured jockey.
Henry Brooke was in the mount and the 10-year-old got off to a steady start in the three-mile test before he made up ground thanks to some superior jumping.
In the event that Tiger Roll makes a full recovery from his minor injury and takes part in the Aintree spectacular on April 4th, horses such as Walk In The Mill and Definitly Red will be given relatively modest weights.
Definitly Red owner, Phil Martin, said after the Becher Chase: We’re pleased with that. He was a little bit outpaced at the start, but his jumping got him into it and he stayed on strongly at the finish.”
When asked whether he would be aiming the runner at the 2020 National instead of the Cheltenham Gold Cup, Martin added: “I think the National; that’s the race for him. It’s got to be the race for him.
“Hopefully the handicapper will be kind and drop him a couple of pounds.”
