Grand National hero Tiger Roll causes a 25-1 upset in the Boyne Hurdle at Navan
The popular nine-year-old scooted clear for an easy win in the Grade 2 under jockey Keith Donoghue
TIGER ROLL breezed to an impressive success in the Grade 2 Boyne Hurdle on Sunday.
The Grand National hero was sent off an unfancied 25-1 shot but he sauntered clear for an easy victory over 2m5f.
The jack-of-all-trades was always travelling powerfully in re-fitted blinkers under a motionless Keith Donoghue.
He produced a slick jump at the final flight and scooted away from Off You Go (7-4) in second place in the €45,000 contest.
Bookies reacted by cutting the popular nine-year-old into 12-1 favouritism for the Grand National, while he is also no bigger than 6-4 for the Cross Country at Cheltenham.
Trainer Gordon Elliott confirmed that those two races would be on the agenda for the incredibly versatile Tiger Roll.
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Elliott told Racing TV: "He's unbelievable, he just wants to please you every day.
"It was great to be able to give Keith Donoghue the ride, he will be his ride in the Cross Country and Davy (Russell) will ride him in the National.
"He's something special. He's a favourite around the yard, everyone loves him.
"He was a little bit lazy at home and the blinkers have woken him up. He will improve plenty he was probably only about 75% fit today."