Matt Chapman talks Irish Grand National domination, Davy Russell and the Guineas trials

THEY’VE done it in rugby, but today the Irish bid for a grand slam of Nationals in Scotland’s biggest jumps race.

It has been an awesome Anglo/Irish jumps campaign, and when it comes to the feature staying handicap chases the latter have reigned supreme.

6

It all started off at Chepstow in January, when the 13-year-old Raz de Maree landed the Welsh National for Gavin Cromwell.

Then the show moved on to Fairyhouse and General Principle took the Irish version for Gordon Elliott, who would then claim the main event at Aintree with Tiger Roll.

6

Now it’s the Scottish National at Ayr, with Irish hopes pinned on Elliott’s Fagan and the Tony Mullins-trained Glencairn View.

Irish racing has never been stronger, with current champion Willie Mullins and young (ish) pretender Elliott snapping at his heels.

Elliott might well claim the Irish title after being so narrowly denied at Punchestown in 2017.

A week on from Aintree, I have to reflect on the heroes of the hour — Tiger Roll and Davy Russell.

Matt Chapman's TV tips

1.45 Ayr - Vaniteux: 'Will relish the better ground today'

2.00 Newbury - Defoe: 'Should take all the beating here'

2.20 Ayr - Keeper Hill: 'The quality horse in the field'

2.35 Newbury - Tajaanus: 'Will be fit coming into this'

2.55 Ayr - I'm A Game Changer: 'Won well last time'

3.10 Newbury - Hey Gaman: 'Should be a better three-year-old'

3.30 Ayr - Mia's Storm: 'Gets weight from her rivals and can bounce back'

3.45 Newbury - Leader Writer: 'Already run two good races this season'

4.05 Ayr - Vintage Clouds - 'Cracking each-way chance'

Tiger Roll becomes only the third winner of the great race to be sired by a Derby winner in Authorized — indeed when Sheikh Mohammed first owned him the Grand National was not on his mind.

An eight-year-old, Tiger Roll is far from the best horse in training. But he is one of the most remarkable.

Winner of the 2014 Triumph Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival, he has since landed the National Hunt Chase in 2017 and cross-country this year. In between he also ran in a Stayers’ Hurdle.

Elliott’s training of Tiger Roll and recently retired Cause Of Causes, himself a three-time Cheltenham winner, is the stuff of legend.

6

Elliott learnt his trade from the genius Martin Pipe and, while the former will never change the way horses are trained in the manner Pipe did, he’s cut from the same cloth. Both are extraordinary trainers of a racehorse.

Tiger Roll’s achievements have touched the public.

I put up a twitter poll this week for Horse of the Season, including Champion Chase hero Altior, King George victor Might Bite, Gold Cup winner Native River and Tiger Roll.

6

Alas, heavenly novices Footpad and Samcro missed the cut.

From 3,085 votes, Tiger Roll grabbed 58%, Altior 19%, Native River 13% and Might Bite just 10%. A triumph of achievement over purist quality.

And as for Tiger Roll’s rider  . . . There are some people in racing with whom, as an interviewer, you can’t fail to hit the jackpot.

Bryony Frost is one, along with Sir Mark Prescott and John Gosden (Johnny G to most!).

Russell is without doubt another. His words after the National were genius.

6

When I’m asked who I want on my panel if I’m hosting a Cheltenham preview night Russell is always top of my list. A Russell/Tony Mullins combination is even better!

It’s not always been easy for Russell, and only recently he was involved in ‘punchgate’, having given a horse an overly strong tap at the start of a race when the animal had been playing up.

LATEST IN HORSE RACING

TEMPLEGATE'S TIPS

My NAP is a good price at 8-1 and is well suited to the National fences

MATT CHAPMAN

Sir Michael Stoute has been a magical figure, and a man of mystery too

BEN PAULING

Handstands couldn't be in better form ahead of his chasing debut at Wincanton

FIVER FLUTTER

This 14-1 shot went close in these conditions last time at Newbury

But believe me Russell is a top man, and as someone who has been lucky enough to go to his house and spend time one-to-one, he’s a truly fascinating individual.

Russell is not only a great jockey. He’s funny, entertaining, and gets life. He also loves money, which is good to know for any punter backing his mounts!

Charlie Appleby's 2,000 Guineas hope Masar impressed in the Craven, but it’s hard to know what to make of the success with Roaring Lion seemingly running in the region of 20lb below his two-year-old rating.

6

Expert Eye, the Dewhurst flop, goes in today’s Greenham Stakes for Sir Michael Stoute as he bids to rebuild his reputation.

Aidan O’Brien’s Gustav Klimt and Saxon Warrior top the Guineas betting. The latter has yet to be seen since beating Roaring Lion in the Racing Post Trophy, while Gustav Klimt was the cosy winner of a 2,000 Guineas Trial at Leopardstown.

Ryan Moore was impressed by how Gustav quickened, but it was just a four-runner race so it’s hard to be dogmatic about the form of the event.

The opening colts’ Classic is very much up for grabs.