Horse racing enthusiasts across Uganda will be able to tune in to the iconic Grand National in April 2021, as the Aintree Racecourse sets the scene for a record-breaking attempt from the much-loved Tiger Roll. Tiger Roll stunned the world by winning back-to-back Grand Nationals — the first time this was achieved since Red Rum in 1974 — and is now on course for a hat-trick of wins.
The horse racing world has subsequently taken Tiger Roll into its collective heart and trainer Gordon Elliott has confirmed that the primary goal for the 12-year-old is to have one final shot at achieving racing immortality. If he can win in 2021, he would become the first-ever thoroughbred to win three successive Grand Nationals.
The Grand National is already the most historic and most-watched steeplechase horse race on the planet. But when you factor in the prospect of Tiger Roll’s unprecedented attempt, it’s easy to see why the eyes of the world will be watching this race unfold in Merseyside, in the northwest of England. Media rights group Racecourse Media Group (RMG) distributes the stream of the event annually across the globe, with Ugandans well-served thanks to RMG’s links with sub-Saharan broadcaster SuperSport.
There is one alternative for Ugandan racing fanatics, particularly those that like a flutter on the most lucrative National Hunt race in the calendar year. Over-25s are legally permitted to enter and bet with land-based bookmaker premises, as well as online sportsbooks. Therefore, legal bettors can use free jump racing tipping portals which direct them to a string of sign-up offers for sportsbooks that permit Ugandan nationals. By placing a wager with their chosen online sportsbook, users should be able to watch a live stream of the race on their desktop or mobile devices — a great alternative for those without access to SuperSport.
The last Grand National, staged in 2019, was beamed to 180 territories worldwide. With Tiger Roll primed to make a bold bid for this unique achievement, it’s highly likely that number will rise further still for 2021. Unfortunately for Tiger Roll, he will have plenty of jockeys and horses gunning for him, while the race’s handicappers are sure to give him top weight to level the playing field.
Who are the likely rivals for Tiger Roll at the 2021 Grand National?
The Willie Mullins-trained Burrows Saint looks like being a strong contender for the National in April. It won the 2019 Irish Grand National with relative ease, underlining its potential as a stayer around the grueling Aintree Racecourse. Burrows Saint will be aged eight years old at the time of next year’s race, which is usually a good age to make a bold bid.
Nicky Henderson’s Santini is another stayer to watch. Santini came within a whisker of bagging the Gold Cup at the 2020 Cheltenham Festival, only to lose it by a neck on the finish line to Al Boum Photo. It’s not yet known whether the National is Santini’s target, with another run at the Gold Cup possible. However, he could be in amongst it if the National is Henderson’s preferred route.
Jessica Harrington was pipped to the post in the 2019 Grand National by Tiger Roll, with her Magic of Light thoroughbred forced to settle for a runner-up finish. Magic of Light will be nine years old at the time of the next National, which remains a good age to compete at the front of the field around Aintree. Despite having more weight to carry due to his recent performances, Magic of Light will still be significantly lighter than Tiger Roll.
One final contender to break the hearts of Tiger Roll fans in 2021 could be Potters Corner. Trained by Christian Williams, Potters Corner is another proven stayer having won the Welsh National. The prospects for Potters Corner could depend largely on the weather and track conditions, given that he tends to prefer plenty of cut in the ground. A good surface may play more into the hands of Tiger Roll and co. One thing is for sure, it promises to be a fascinating encounter and one which could create yet another “I was watching” moment for horse racing fans worldwide.
