Way clear for Bay after Marina blow

TIDAL BAY is now the clear favourite for the Cheltenham Arkle Trophy and at the top of the betting for the Royal & SunAlliance Chase after one of the Festival’s big Irish hopes, Glencove Marina, was ruled out for the season yesterday.

Connections of Tidal Bay are open-minded as to which event the gelding will contest, which was the same position Glencove Marina’s trainer Willie Mullins was in before his charge sustained a tendon injury.

The six-year-old had looked a fine prospect in effortlessly winning a Grade Two novice chase at Leopardstown earlier this month.