Owner Michael O'Leary has confirmed double Grand National hero Tiger Roll will be retired after he runs in the Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase at next month’s Cheltenham Festival.

The Gordon Elliott-trained 12-year-old has been a legend of the sport after emerging victorious in the Aintree showpiece in 2018 and 2019.

In 2018, he won by a head from Pleasant Company before Davy Russell steered him to victory a year later as he finished two-and-three-quarter lengths clear of Magic of Light.

Connections were keen for him to try and secure a third triumph in the race, emulating the great Red Rum in the 1970s.

However, O'Leary was unhappy with his handicap rating of 161 this year and he has decided to instead close the curtain on a fabulous career following the Prestbury Park Festival.

He will run in the Cross Country Chase at Cheltenham, where he will be looking to get a sixth victory in the contest.

O'Leary says it is a huge shame that the handicappers have marked him at 161 and he believes fans have been robbed of the chance to see him potentially make history at Aintree.

He also confirmed Tiger Roll would not continue racing after Cheltenham. 

He said: "I believe that's an idiotic and absurd handicap rating.

"This handicapper has now prevented the most popular horse in training running in the Grand National two years in a row. 

"He has ruined a huge promotional opportunity that's available to Aintree and the Grand National by having Tiger Roll trying to emulate Red Rum.

"You cannot defy age. He will not be in the Grand National by the time he runs in the cross country — he's coming out at the next forfeit stage." 

O'Leary has also said Conflated will run in the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham rather than go for Gold Cup glory next month.

The eight-year-old was victorious in the Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown earlier this month and is making his first foray to Cheltenham, after proving he can mix it at Grade One level.

However, trainer Gordon Elliott is entering Savills Chase winner Galvin in the Gold Cup and O'Leary would rather send Conflated into the race he sponsors.

He added: "I don't think Conflated will win the Gold Cup, because if Galvin runs in the Gold Cup for Gordon, I think we'll switch Conflated to the Ryanair.

"I don't think Conflated would beat Galvin and I think it would make sense from Gordon's point of view to divide the two horses.

"We'll go and take on Willie [Mullins] in the Ryanair."