Ground key to Tidal Bay’s Gold Cup bid
The Paul Nicholls-trained 12-year-old looked as good as ever in the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown over Christmas when he secured a pulsating last-gasp victory under Ruby Walsh.
Although the Gold Cup would seem the logical target, Tidal Bay could yet revert to smaller obstacles for the Ladbrokes World Hurdle.
“He has always been a good horse and I think things have worked out well for him this season because the ground has been so soft,” said Wylie.
“When the ground is faster, he doesn’t get himself organised with his jumping.
“I know there is much debate about where he should run, and I am enjoying reading all the different views, but the fact is we just don’t know. It is going to be very ground dependant.
“If the ground is good or faster then he won’t run in the Gold Cup as we’ve tried it before and they go too fast for him, but if it was very soft we’d probably give it a go.”
Tidal Bay is also under consideration for the John Smith’s Grand National at Aintree, but the ground will also play a major part in the final decision.
“It will be the same thing with the National – if the ground is very fast he won’t run and if it came up soft then he could do,” said Wylie.
“I think it’s safe to say he’ll have entries in all three races – the World Hurdle, the Gold Cup and the National – and we’ll just see how he is and what is happening with the weather closer to the time.”
Meanwhile, trainer Venetia Williams is to hand Saturday’s impressive Sandown winner Katenko an entry in the Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup.
The seven-year-old French import was having just his third start for Williams, having previously gone close at Ascot when runner-up to Wyck Hill.
“He’s come out of the race absolutely fine and the owner may get a surprise but I am going to put him in the Gold Cup,” said Herefordshire-based Williams. “He will go up the best part of a stone in the handicap.”
A trip to Ireland or a run in the Betfred Grand National Trial are among the options for Giles Cross after Victor Dartnall gave his stable star a clean bill of health following the Coral Welsh National.
Runner-up in the last two runnings of the Chepstow race, the 11-year-old was making his seasonal reappearance due to an outbreak of equine herpes at Dartnall’s Devon yard.
Having jumped with his usual fluency at the head of affairs, Denis O’Regan felt him emptying quickly on the run to the third-last and he was pulled up.
“I’m delighted with the way he has come out of the race. He ate up well and is feeling pleased with himself. As always, his jumping was an absolute joy to watch,” the Barnstaple handler told www.victordartnallracing.com.
“We’ll chat things through with his owner and decide where he goes next. His options include Haydock’s Grand National Trial or we may have a trip to Ireland.
