Johnson waits on Tidal target

Howard Johnson has yet to decide on a weekend target for his exciting novice chaser Tidal Bay, although he admits he is keen to see how he fares over two miles.

The seven-year-old is unbeaten over the larger obstacles and has options at Doncaster, Sandown and Wetherby on Saturday, over distances ranging from two to three miles.

However, with stable jockey Denis O’Regan still on the sidelines, jockey availability will also have a bearing on Johnson’s final decision, with Richard Johnson again favourite for the mount after partnering Inglis Drever last Saturday.

“I haven’t had time to have a good look at the entries yet,” said the County Durham trainer, whose charge is favourite for the two-mile Arkle as well as the three-mile SunAlliance Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.

“I worked all the horses this morning because I’m off to Doncaster sales tomorrow.

“I’m tempted to give him a run to sharpen him up a bit more but I don’t know where at this stage.

“I’m curious to see how he’d get on over two miles. He’s in a two-miler at Doncaster and he’s in the Grade One at Sandown (Scilly Isles Chase over an extended two and a half miles).

“I’ve also got Cedrus Libani in at Doncaster and he is a good horse too.

“With Denis off it is going to be difficult. If Richard Johnson was available I’d put him on, without a doubt, but it is difficult with Denis and Tony (Dobbin) off.

“It would have to be someone up the top end like Richard, Sam Thomas or Ruby Walsh and whoever can ride him would have a bearing on where we run.”

Johnson also confirmed that Inglis Drever had come out of the Cleeve Hurdle in grand shape ahead of his bid for a third stayers’ hurdle crown.

“He’s out in the field at the minute,” continued Johnson.

“He wouldn’t have been far off been fully tuned up.

“We’ll see if he can win it for the third time, but there’ll be plenty of competition still down there. They’ll all be queuing up to try and beat him.”