'Encouraging signs' for Tiger Roll despite last-place finish in Navan

Ruby Walsh, commenting on Racing TV, said there were “definitely encouraging signs” from Tiger Roll, but was quick to qualify the remark.

Dual Aintree Grand National winner Tiger Roll under jockey Keith Donoghue in the Ladbrokes Ireland Boyne Hurdle (Grade 2). Picture: Healy Racing

Two-time Aintree Grand National winner Tiger Roll commanded much of the attention prior to the Grade 2 Ladbrokes Ireland Boyne Hurdle at Navan and, while he trailed home last of the six runners in a race won by Beacon Edge, there was a degree of promise to be taken from the run.

A previous winner of this race, he looked on good terms with himself prior to setting out on the two-mile-five trip and, when the race got underway, he moved well, if a little too keenly, for much of the journey.