Tidal Bay tops Hennessy field

Tidal Bay heads a final field of 19 runners for tomorrow’s Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury.

The enigmatic 11-year-old signed off last season with victory in the bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown and picked up where he left off by winning the John Smith’s Hurdle at Wetherby on his return to action.

Ruby Walsh’s mount aims to give champion trainer Paul Nicholls a fourth Hennessy triumph following the victories of Strong Flow (2003) and the great Denman (2007 and 2009).