TRAINER Gordon Elliott has not ruled out returning to Aintree next year with dual Grand National hero Tiger Roll.

The 10-year-old was being prepared for an historic hat-trick bid in the world-famous steeplechase on 4 April.

But that was scuppered on Monday evening as the three-day festival was cancelled by the Jockey Club due to the ongoing coronavirus crisis.

Speaking on BBC Radio 4, Elliott offered a slither of hope that the popular chaser could yet chase a third win in the marathon contest next spring.

He said: "It is disappointing, but everyone from Aintree and involved in it has to do what's right to get everything back on track. So listen, we're all on the one team, you know.

"This is the Grand National, how can you be confident of victory? But we like to have a few runners in the race, and we were really looking forward to it.

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"From Rose Paterson, the chairman of Aintree, to everyone underneath her, they all have to make the right decision – and we'll be backing them up 100 per cent."

Elliott continued: "There is every chance of him competing next year.

"He hasn't got that many miles on the clock, and we will be training him back for the Grand National again.

"You're training horses day by day, never mind year by year, so I'll be taking things day by day – and there's a lot of water to go under the bridge by then.

"He's in good form and he was all set for the National, but unfortunately we're only one of 40 horses – and so we've just got to keep going.

"All we can do it dream – so you never know what might happen."

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