And there are People who read the formbook,and they will wonder why the horse with pretty much the best Gold Cup form is running in the stayers hurdle.

I don't have a financial interest but I'd like to see him in the Gold Cup. I'm slightly perturbed by the fact that this comes out today after Conti's impressive performance yesterday - the presence of Conti should have no bearing on where TB runs because they have different owners (who presumably pay the bills).

I can understand the argument that says World Hurdle-Grand National for TB because a run in the Gold Cup will probably compromise his National chances (and he does have a good chance) - but his owner has two other hot contenders for that race with another trainer.

It's true that Nicholls is generally a good judge, more so than Ruby who plumped for Shooters Wood instead of Edgardo Sol as recently as yesterday.

Tidal Bay is thoroughlly exposed to one and all.
They can say what they like but we all know the horse as well as they do.
And theres no way of knowing which horse would come out on top between TB and SC in a soft ground Gold Cup.

i think the decision has been made budd GN is the target with added bonus of some prize money from WH, FWIW i think 20-1 is a great price cant see him being out of the first 4 and he could win it

Been a long time since its been anything other than G/S at worst, that's all.

Fair point. Claisse is good, but he's not God!

Budd - look away now -



"Well, the handicapper has certainly given Tidal Bay every chance in the Grand National.

And Aintree is the number one priority for him.

So much so that after speaking to Mr Wylie last night, we have scratched Tidal Bay from the Gold Cup, and if it means foregoing running in the World Hurdle to have him at his peak for Aintree, then so be it."

Comical stuff.

So when the owner said after the Lexus about the Gold Cup,and when the jockey said the WH,what they actually meant was the Grand National.
The trainer though has been saying for weeks now that it will probably be in the WH,but will keep him in the GC till nearer the time-presumably cos of the ground.
Now we get this!!
At least my bets were done ages ago,so thats fair enough,but i do have sympathy for any that have backed Tidal for the WH in recent weeks.

Sint,
they would have known pretty much his mark,dont you think!

Appalling decision to run in GN and disgraceful from handicapper to ensure he runs. PFN has made it clear that has been looking at GN and now given the green light by Phil.

Now we have a top class horse running in the race and when the speed is applied to the race, that's when we have problems. This compressed handicap for this race is complete bollox imo. We lost our CGC winner last year as he was so 'well in' it made sense to run - that's not what the National is about.

Rant over

Crazy decision to run in the GN. At least in Cheltenham he may have gotten Good to soft ground. The way Aintree drains now the worst ground is good with high chance of good/fast ground.

thats not my understanding of things, 1 of the safety measures brought in was to provide good to soft ground, please excuse me if i am wrong

Not too many horses get to retire off the back of a win in a grade 1 race like the Lexus but surely Tidal Bay will have seen his last days on a racetrack with the news that the 12yo has a stress fracture.

Good horse in his day but not a great horse.

Yep,his exploits at his age make you wonder what could have been for sure.
He was a good horse that could have been a great horse.
But whatever ive enjoyed watching him and backing him over the years.
Ive enjoyed the banter hes provoked on here as well.