‘The next Tiger Roll’ proving ‘most popular’ Grand National bet after record-breaking Cheltenham Festival win

[bc_video account_id=”5067014667001″ application_id=”” aspect_ratio=”16:9″ autoplay=”” caption=”Ruby Walsh celebrates Rachael Blackmore win at Cheltenham Festival” embed=”in-page” experience_id=”” height=”100%” language_detection=”” max_height=”360px” max_width=”640px” min_width=”0px” mute=”” padding_top=”56%” picture_in_picture=”” player_id=”default” playlist_id=”” playsinline=”” sizing=”responsive” video_id=”6369978385112″ video_ids=”” width=”640px”]

A horse dubbed ‘the new Tiger Roll’ is proving to be the ‘most popular’ Grand National bet – after his record-breaking Cheltenham Festival win.

Gavin Cromwell’s Stumptown defied a massive weights rise to land a drama-packed Cross Country Chase.

Jockey winning a horse race.
Stumptown looks to have a massive chance in the Grand National on the back of his easy Cheltenham Festival success
Grand National winner Tiger Roll with trainer and owner.
Stumptown is drawing comparisons with Tiger Roll, the two-time Grand National winner and one of the best National Hunt horses ever

There were two false starts, several jockeys were banned and eventual third Vanillier almost took the wrong course.

But Stumptown won with ease in the end under top jockey Keith Donoghue, who notched a historic fifth win in the unique contest.

The Grand National weights were released before Stumptown won at Cheltenham.

He is set to carry 11st 2lbs in the big Aintree contest on Saturday, April 5, some 10bs less than top weight and defending champion I Am Maximus.

Stumptown’s career has been rejuvenated since he took to the Cross Country races.

He looked out of love with the game over regulation fences – but punters are banking on him relishing the step up in trip at Aintree.

So much so that he has proved Oddschecker’s most popular bet for the £1million contest.

Oddschecker’s Leon Blackman said: “Following Inothewayurthinkin’s withdrawal from the Grand National earlier this week, punters have turned their attention firmly to two of Gavin Cromwell’s other contenders, Vanillier and Stumptown.

“On Friday morning, we’ve seen a noticeable surge of bets backing Stumptown, who is currently available at best odds of 10-1.

“He’s become our most popular bet today, attracting 12 per cent of all bets placed on the Grand National market, up from 8 per cent between Tuesday and Thursday.”

The legendary Tiger Roll won back-to-back Grand Nationals from 2018 and the Festival Cross Country race three times.

Stumptown has some way to go to match him but their shared love for Cross Country races and staying chases is clear to see.

Cromwell landed the Gold Cup with Inothewayurthinkin and the Meath trainer could not be in better form.

[authenticated-scripts src=”%3Cscript%20class%3D%22palin-poll%22%20src%3D%22https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thesun.co.uk%2Fpollingwidgets%2Fv3%2Fwidget.js%3Fquestion_id%3D109933%26game%3Dpolling%22%3E%3C%2Fscript%3E” type=”embedded” width=”100″ /]

His awesome grey Vanillier has been punted off the boards too with punters happy to get stuck into his runners even at reduced prices.

The market is still headed by former Irish Grand National winner Intense Raffles, though.

Legendary former jockey Peter Carberry, who won the 1999 race on Bobbyjo, said he has been told the Tom Gibney-trained runner is a ‘certainty’ for the £500,000 first-place prize.