Tidal Bay finally consented to win at Sandown while China Rock bounced back to form at Punchestown and the two tales of redemption dominated the weekend proceedings. During his career, Tidal Bay has been called several names and the fact he went into the bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown without a win to his name in over two years, spoke a lot about this gifted but unusual runner.
Tidal Bay was never successful at any level for more than two years until Sandown. He was twice a Grade 1 winner in his youth. He was given a ride of tact and silk by Daryl Jacob to take the marathon chase in rain-sodden, testing conditions. However, the triumph had been masterminded Nicholls late last summer, when the 11-year-old gelding joined his team at Ditcheat.
Two weeks ago, Champion trainer Paul Nicholls and jockey Daryl Jacob landed the John Smith’s Grand National. As the 11-year-old powered home by 15 lengths carrying to weight at odds of 9-1, the pair were at it again, winning the final big race of the jumps season. In testing conditions, Tidal Bay travelled smoothly throughout. He has finished fourth to record-breaking stable-mate Big Buck’s over the smaller obstacles in the Liverpool Hurdle at Aintree. He quickly drew clear from runner-up Roalco de Farges, once he hit the front.
The season’s end was anything but a damp squib, although it may have been wet at Sandown. 3,000 up on last year was the crowd of 14,000 and it may not be completely beyond the hurdles of likelihood that they saw a Derby winner after Aidan O’Brien’s Imperial Monarch won the bet365 Classic Trial.
Tidal Bay (9-1) has never lived up to those expectations, even though he won the Arkle Trophy in 2008, but his class shone through in the tricky ground conditions in spite of being saddled with top weight. The talented 11-year-old settled beautifully towards the rear of the pack in the early stages and he was on a going day right from the start.
On the final circuit, he made stealthy progress to join the leaders at the third-last fence. At the final fence, he jumped ahead of Roalco de Farges and amazingly pulled away up the hill to win by 15 lengths. Any Currency (16-1) came third while Vic Venturi a gallant fourth (25-1).
Monterosso, under dashing young French jockey
Mucho Macho Man, like the rest of the field, had high hopes entering the Kentucky
There are a few horses that seem like favorites for the biggest horse race in the world as the Kentucky
Premier Pegasus was seen as one of the best up and coming horses in the world coming into this year. While he is still a horse with a lot of potential, it looks the hopes of his trainer, owner and fans to win the Kentucky
Bob Baffert will have a chance to put out a solid horse for the Kentucky
Reigning World Hurdle champion Big Buck recorded an exceptional fourth win in the event subsequent to an easy victory at Aintree. Big Buck is now even-money (from 6/4) with totesport.
The National Thoroughbred Racing Association released its latest three-year-old poll Monday, with Uncle Mo extending his lead while The Factor jumped five spots.