Tiger Roll goes down fighting to Easysland

French raider impresses in cross-country chase.

Easysland denied dual Grand National hero Tiger Roll a fifth Cheltenham Festival success as he ran out an impressive winner of the Glenfarclas Chase over the cross-country course.

Tiger Roll was sent off the 8-11 favourite to win the race for a third successive season for Gordon Elliott and Keith Donoghue, but on this occasion he found a rival four years his junior too sprightly.

Bought by JP McManus after winning over the course in December, Easysland (3-1) had since won at home in France for trainer David Cottin.

Ridden by Jonathan Plouganou, he was never far from the pace – but did take the odd chance at a few fences, jumping low.

Tiger Roll was given every chance by Donoghue, but the 10-year-old could never quite reel in the long-time leader and once the result looked inevitable, he was allowed to coast home in his own time, with the front two well clear.

Easysland crossed the line 17 lengths to the good, with Out Sam, a stablemate of Tiger Roll, a further 18 lengths away in third.

Donoghue jumped off Tiger Roll on crossing the line, and after being given plenty of water he was perfectly fine, walking back to the stables having been unsaddled.

Another old favourite, Might Bite, travelled well for a long way before dropping away on the final circuit.

The win provided McManus with a third of the afternoon thanks to Champ and Dame De Compagnie.

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Cheltenham Festival Tiger Roll Easysland Cross Country

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