Tiger Roll and Easysland will renew rivalries after both were confirmed to run in the Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap Chase at Cheltenham on Friday.
The duo last locked horns at the Cheltenham Festival in March when Gordon Elliott‘s dual Grand National winner Tiger Roll was sent off the favourite, as he stepped up his preparations for a third success in the ultimately cancelled Aintree showpiece.
However, the race ended up belonging to David Cottin’s Easysland, who extended his winning run to seven races after triumphing by a comfortable 17 lengths, although the six-year-old has not been seen in competitive action since.
By contrast, Tiger Roll enjoyed a run out on the flat at Navan last month, although the Gigginstown House Stud will now have to concede 4lb to his old rival on Friday, in contrast to the Festival where both horses went off the same weight.
Of course, there are no guarantees it will be a two-horse race on Friday, as the Christian Williams-trained Potters Corner is also being touted as a contender on what will be his first competitive outing over cross-country obstacles.
The 10-year-old was the winner of the Welsh National in December and had been due to face off against Tiger Roll in April’s Grand National.
Despite his inexperience over the obstacles, Williams is convinced his charge can cause a surprise during Friday’s race.
“Potters Corner is in great form,” the Glamorgan-based handler was quoted as saying by Racing TV. He schooled well over the Cross Country fences at the track a couple of weeks ago.
“He is being thrown straight into the lions’ den with both Easysland and Tiger Roll in opposition, but everything we have asked of him he has duly obliged.
“The Aintree Grand National remains the main aim and we are looking forward to getting his season started.”
