Who are the early challengers to Tiger Roll at Aintree?

The 2020 Grand National will be run at Aintree on April 4, with Tiger Roll looking to make history in the world’s most famous steeplechase. No horse has ever won this great race in three consecutive years, so were the Gordon Elliott trained horse to win again it would be a momentous moment in National Hunt racing. He is the 6/1 favourite to complete this mission successfully.

The 2018 and 2019 winner has been handed top weight in the contest however, making things potentially more difficult for him, so who are the leading challengers to dethrone the superstar?

Burrows Saint

The Willie Mullins trained Burrows Saint is a 14/1 poke in the ante-post markets. The seven-year-old, winner of the Irish Grand National last April, will be looking to double up with a win in the English version of the marathon race. Seven-year-olds don’t have the best record in the race though, which is a concern.

Native River

2018 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Native River is set for a first spin over the National fences in April. The Colin Tizzard trained veteran is unbeaten at Aintree, and generally in the Gold Cup we see him staying on powerfully up the Cheltenham hill. The National is another mile and some on top of that, but he is very much one to watch.

Magic of Light

The Jessica Harrington trained Magic of Light was second behind Tiger Roll at 66/1 last year, but you’ll be getting no bigger than 16/1 on the nine-year-old in the ante-post markets this time around. Magic of Light was getting eight pounds from the winner in 2019 and went down by 2.75 lengths, but he will have 12lbs in hand of his rival for his revenge mission. That could be significant.

Walk In The Mill

Walk In The Mill was fourth in the race last year, 16 lengths behind Tiger Roll as a 25/1 shot, but he has since been back to Aintree and won the Becher Chase over the National fences. That race is often a significant form guide for the big one. He will be getting almost 1.5 stones from Tiger Roll based on the early weights, so he would have every chance of success in the race.

Summary

The eyes of the racing world will be on Aintree in April, to see if the popular Tiger Roll can do what even the great Red Rum couldn’t do, and win this famous race three years in succession. The list of horses against him looks very strong though, with Native River and Walk In The Mill most likely to be breathing down the neck of the champion as they head for the elbow and that lengthy run-in, which has often decided many a Grand National. For more horse racing tips don't forget to explore the rest of our sports betting news.