Scottish National

What chance is there of tidal bay running. If he does he has the class to slaughter this lot surely ?

I saw a post on HR forum which said Nicholls stated post Grand National that he's likely to go to Sandown for the Whitbread as was.

If he takes Tidal Bay out at the final declaration stage, by how much do the weights go up?

19 lbs

Do the weights go up if a late withdrawal?
I suggest punters should look at SPORAZENE a few Cheltenhams ago,
County Hurdle!!!!

Had a little each-way on Merry King(have liked the Hennessey form this year)at 40/1. Hope to trade in the teens before the race.If Tidal Bay is saved for the Bet365 at Sandown then the selection still has a reasonable racing weight.

Has Alan King got Godsmejudge back to the form he showed when winning last years race ?
Being backed !

Leap of faith if backing Godsmejudge. Couldn't get him right for Grand National, a week later as to be doubtful. King hasn't even said if he as explanation for Gods last two runs. Certainly wouldn't bet him before NRNB.

I like Merry King too, burst a blood vessel when pulled up at Haydock last time and still looked reasonably handicapped going into that race.

I see McLernon is back in after AP took the ride at Haydock, don't necessarily see that as a negative but does seem strange that AP does n't have a ride in the race - I assume he'll be on the premises to ride MTOY in the Scottish Champion Hurdle.

I like midnight appeal took a bit of 25 earlier in the week

actually I'm talking rubbish about AP - with TB declared, there's very few running that he could do the weight on - and Merry King would n't be one of them.

Trustan Times for me. A neck behind last weeks impressive GN winner lto in the Pertemps Final, giving it 4lbs. is 6lbs "wrong" tomorrow but that is still 4 lower than Cheltenham. On at 20s with Fred. GL

I've backed both Tidal Bay and Roberto Goldback at 20/1 EW.  Class over potential for me.

I've backed Sam Winner eachway. I think Tidal Bay falling early at Aintree has given PFN the perfect excuse/opportunity to run him again and keep a lot of the field out of the handicap. SW has been consistent in each of his runs so just need a clear round, no congestion problems.

Wasn't Tidal Bay the one that crashed through the barrier taking out Across the Bay?

yep

iris de balme was 26lb o h

Tidal Bay's stats from last week:

Won 1 (Across The Bay)

Lost 1.(The Canal Turn)

Green flag ticks a lot of boxes for me. Good course form and staying on in a race where form was franked last week. Sire offers plenty of hope in staying. Pure faith interesting outsider too.

I like Green flag as well ,but will go for roalko de farges as the one to beat , he is a little older than that rival  at nine years  and has been to the well less often this season , he was trounced by
Tidal Bay a couple of years ago when still a novice but Tidal bay would have beaten a  fair few gold cup winners of recent times  that day at Sandown it was an extraordinary performance
doubt he can still do it at Thirteen , will bring the House down if he can  GL

Ah, good to see a word for Pure Faith - I like that one too - though it's a bit of an act of Pure Faith!

Stable been in shocking form all season, just come back into some kind of form now (nice winner at Ayr today), added to which race has been his target for a long time, he's had a breathing op since last run, he has form with some very decent horses over shorter distances, appears to go well in the spring and he has the same sire as McKelvey who Bowen trained to be 2nd in the Grand National a few years back.So all a bit circumstantial but the price reflects that.

So, Pure Faith (ew) and Merry King (ew) for me.

Good luck,all.

Like pure faith also. Just coming into Bowen's time of year, couple of good winners last few weeks.

with some rain forecasted and the ground good to soft, soft in places. these four might run big races at prices

RIGADIN DE BEAUCHENE (25/1) - Loves staying races, flopped in this on good ground last season but had a hard season, this time around kept back for staying races and has rain.

SOLE WITNESS (66/1) - Stays, out of handicap, but can jump and stay all day long

GODSMEJUDGE (18/1) - Just have to give him ago, cant imagine they wont have him spot on for this as he won it 12 months ago

FILL THE POWER (40/1) - Consistent and has much in his favour in terms of track and race type, staying isn't assured on 3 attempts so far, but at 40-1 and a low weight you could well see him surprise.

I think the rain may have gone against pure faith. I do think alpha Victor is being underrated as plenty of horses went into that last race in form. Won't mind the ground and a gtd stayer. Could be one to play in running though.

Small interest on Roalco De Farges (14s hills)
Gd luck all

Pain in the ass that horse (battle group)

Great run from Godsmejudge again. Beaten by a 40/1 shot !!!

Tidal Bay ran well too in the circumstances I thought.

Godsmejudge clearly had problems all year and it was telling that King said post race that he is only just coming back to form.

Progressive and one to keep an eye on next season - not convinced yet that he needs a marathon trip either, might be worth trying him in something like the Hennessey to see what they've got.

David Cleary tipped Alco , brilliant stuff , Roalko  did not stay the trip which was a surprise