Owner Michael O'Leary has lashed out at the decision of the handicapper which has led to him withdrawing Tiger Roll from the Grand National.
The 2018 and 2019 winner had been scheduled to make a bid for a third crown, an achievement which would put the 12-year-old on a par with the legendary Red Rum.
However, Tiger Roll will no longer race at the Aintree showpiece in April due to being given an allocated weight of 11st 4lb, in excess of what O'Leary was expecting for a horse of that age and recent form.
O'Leary is quoted by BBC Sport as saying: "We don't believe it is fair or safe to ask him to carry close to top weight at the age of 12. Since we are responsible for the welfare of Tiger Roll, we must protect him from the idiotic opinion of this handicapper.
"We therefore regret to announce that he will not run in this year's Aintree Grand National. Instead Tiger Roll will be trained for the Cross Country race in Cheltenham, and there is every likelihood that win, lose or draw, this will be his last racecourse appearance."
The current list of 104 entries will be reduced to 40 ahead of the 174th staging of the race.
Darren Plant
