Cheltenham Festival 2022: Tiger Roll retired after defeat by stablemate Delta Work

Tiger Roll was denied a fairytale farewell victory by Delta Work in the Cross Country Chase.

The two-time Grand National winner looked set for a record-equalling sixth Festival triumph but went down by three quarters of a length.

Jack Kennedy was booed by some spectators as he came back on the winner.

The two horses came into the winners enclosure together, as Tiger Roll was cheered into retirement.

Michael O'Leary, the chief executive of Ryanair, said he was disappointed after having a win at the Festival of Festivals.

We destroyed the dream. Tiger Roll is a warrior. He went out on his shield and is a very good horse.

In the 45th race of his career, the heavy ground appeared to have gone against Tiger Roll.

Before the race, O'Leary said that anyone who backed him needed their head examined.

However, the diminutive gelding, with the heart of a lion, put in a typically valiant performance and almost added a fourth Cross Country win to victories at Cheltenham in the Triumph Hurdle and National Hunt Chase.

Delta Work, on his first try over the Cross Country fences, went ahead 200 yards from the line, despite the mount going to the front at the 24th of 32 fences.

He went down fighting. Russell rode him in both of his National victories.

If Kennedy saw him, O'Leary joked, he would shoot him. The jockey said he was happy to have won.

Kennedy said that everyone would have liked to see Tiger Roll win, but they couldn&t take away his horse.

I thought I would get there. If I won, I knew I would be the most hated man in the town.

Kennedy lost the ride on last year's Gold Cup winner Minella Indo for Friday's showpiece race when O'Leary said Delta Work would be his Gold Cup runner before changing his mind.

Analysis

John Hunt is a commentator.

Tiger Roll has done a lot for the sport as a horse. He is an extraordinary horse who has run his heart out here.

I can't understand the mindset of his owner who would want to ruin the party by throwing a high-quality horse against him.

Before you get into the two times he has snubbed his nose at the handicapper and said "well I will take my ball home and not run him in the Grand National"

I am annoyed because I have not been able to enjoy Tiger Roll like I wanted to. I may be mixed up with this. It should have ended better for Tiger Roll. He was denied what his owner might have had to say about it. I can not figure it out.