Racing News
	Friday 21st February 2020

Tiger Roll and Delta Work Training to Bag Gold Cup and Cross-Country Wins at Cheltenham 2020

The Cheltenham Festival is back and better than ever. Beginning on the 10th of March, the Festival is considered the biggest week in horse-racing. The week consists of the Champions Day, Ladies Day, St Patrick's Day and finally the most-awaited and exciting, Gold Day. The crowd's favourite dual Grand National horse, Tiger Roll, is also reportedly preparing for the thrilling and exhilarating week.

The 10-year-old has a deep history with the Prestbury Park track, beginning with victory in the 2014 Triumph Hurdle before going on to add the 2017 National Hunt Chase and the last two renewals of the Glenfarclas Chase over the cross-country course. Many wonder, will Tiger Roll make Grand National history this year?

Nick Schofield commented on this possibility in an interview with Colossusbets claiming, "It would be fantastic if he could. I think it would be brilliant for racing. However, to win a race of that calibre again? He’s not the biggest horse. so to carry top weight over that trip will be a very difficult task for him. If any horse is able to do it though, it’s him. It won’t be easy."

He will again be on cross-country duty as he proceeds to build towards his hat-trick bid at Aintree in April, and trainer Gordon Elliott was thrilled with his fifth place in the Boyne Hurdle on Sunday. “I was very happy with the way he ran on Sunday and he’s come out of the race very well. He’d be the one horse we’re all looking forward to running in Cheltenham".

Tiger Roll boasts an official rating of 171, a mark which theoretically would put him right in the mix for the Magners Cheltenham Gold Cup. Although the horse is perfect for any cross-country race, Elliot claims Tiger Roll wouldn't be his first option to race in any Gold Cups. " If he ran in a Gold Cup I don’t think he’d even go a circuit – I just think he’s that type of horse."

Instead, Elliot plans to race supposedly forgotten horse "Delta Work" in next month’s Magners Cheltenham Gold Cup. Mark Walsh will ride Delta Work in the Cheltenham Gold Cup next month with Davy Russell staying loyal to Presenting Percy. Trainer Gordon Elliott confirmed that Walsh will replace the injured Jack Kennedy on Delta Work.

Triumphant in the Savills Chase and the Irish Gold Cup, Delta Work now flaunts five Grade One wins on his CV – and Elliott believes he will be excellently gratified by three and a quarter miles at Prestbury Park. “I think he’s made for the race. His style of racing will suit – going three-mile-two."

Although Tiger Roll and Delta Work seem to be thriving, the same can't be said for Apple Jade. Her days on the track look to be numbered. “If she runs in anything she’ll go for the Stayers’. She was entered in Navan and we worked her the other day, she worked a bit lifeless. We’ll see how she goes. If she runs in anything I’d imagine it will be the Stayers".