Tidal Bay wins the Lexus in Ireland

D

Dobiegirl

Well-Known Member
Joined
2 February 2011
Messages
6,971
Location
Wildest Somerset
Visit site
http://www.racingpost.com/news/live.sd?event_id=1028147


In a last gasp at the line Tidal Bay was just thrilling today, how he won it I dont know having watched the video several times and each time didnt expect him to win.:D

What a horse, he is 12yrs old and beat all the young contenders, makes you wonder if he had been trained by Paul Nicholls in his younger days what he could of achieved. A wonderful ride by Ruby and a masterful training feat by PN.
 
Incredible ride by Ruby, one of his best ever.Thanks for the link, I watched it and even though I knew he was the eventual winner you still can't quite believe how Ruby galvanises him. He's way out the back for most of it. Thrilling stuff.
 
Great race - thanks for pointing it out. Think he is a horse that doesnt like to be in front so perfect race riding really. Dont think he did that badly with JHJ but definately is interesting to think how good he could have been.
 
Amazing race on paper and actually in running too.
It was lined up to be one of the best Lexus chase in years and I believe it well and truly lived up to its expectations.
How on earth Ruby got him up to win is anyone's guess and he was brave to come between the other two on the run in.
Statistically in recent years for a British trained winner of the race he should fare well in the Gold Cup if they go that route. I am almost certain that they will as I have said before owner Wylie has won the World hurdle three times before and this will probably be the last chance he has (TB) of contesting the GC race.
I always thought of him as a good horse when I remember him winning an early season novice chase at Aintree.
He did not really go on from that though in my opinion and was plagued with jumping issues which I believe were back related.
I do wonder myself how far he would have gone at an earlier age if he had been with Nicholls all along.
Although you do have to remember that the Ditcheat trainer has had some very useful chasers at the same time Tidal Bay has been running, notably Kauto Star and Denman.
Would the trio have clashed if they had been operating from the same yard and what would have been the outcome?
Of course we will never know now.
I think Tidal Bay will prove to be a bit of an enigma.
A good horse on his day but I doubt he is improving at his age (rising 12).
I personally think Flemenstar is worth another try over 3 miles as he was free to post, ran a bit with the choke out throughout and had his head held high in the race.
Trainer said he had run a bit too free.
I also wonder if he was not totally in love with the ground either.
The same comment could also be applied to the runner up First Lieutenant whose trainer has categorically said his horse will be a better horse in the Spring on better ground.
Considering now is December and the track was very soft I think he is the one to take from the race, as he is already a Cheltenham Festival winner in winning the Bingham novice hurdle two years ago and he gave Bob's Worth a bit of a race in this year's Sun Alliance chase too.
I think Tidal Bay needs a bit of cut and for things to go his own way for him to score.
Given that the Gold Cup is just over 3 months away and anything can happen between now and then I think the way his price has shrunk is a bit silly.
He has an ew chance at best in my opinion as I expect younger horses to improve past him come spring.
That said he ran out a very game winner today and that should not be taken away from him.
 
Last edited:
Fabulous ride from Ruby and what a tough performance from Tidal Bay. :D

In interviews Ruby said he knew he had it won 100yds from the finish - that's vision! I'd backed him and though my money had gone until after the line!

Nicholls suggested that the National might be his aim - I can see him running a blinder if they let him take his chance in that! :D
 
Last edited:
Caledonia said:
Fabulous ride from Ruby and what a tough performance from Tidal Bay. :D

In interviews Ruby said he know he had it won 100yds from the finish - that's vision! I'd backed him and though my money had gone until after the line!

Nicholls suggested that the National might be his aim - I can see him running a blinder if they let him take his chance in that! :D
Click to expand...

Now the National is the race I would be considering too as he is quirky, likes to come from behind ( stays 3m5f) and he will just love the Aintree elbow :)
Whether they will run in both is anyone's guess?
I know Rough Quest did when he won the GN in 1996 after previously finishing second in the Gold Cup.
 
It was fantastic to watch today, what a brilliant wating race by Ruby Walsh.
I don't looks at him and think 'Gold Cup'...the National would be fun to watch.
Will the ground dry up come March though? Please God yes!
 
The one thing TB does is stay, I do think they went too quick for him early on and on that ground it was bound to take its toll, I happen to think the state of the ground heavy does throw up false results and come March there could well be a different result if the ground is better. I happen to think the World Hurdle could be his for the taking with no Big Bucks but GW may well want a go at the Gold Cup. The GN is interesting, is he takes to it he could take all the beating.
 
Great performance from both TB and Ruby. Delighted that PN has something to smile about eventually after all the injuries of his top horses and the debacle of Kauto. Wonder if HJ was pleased?
 
silu said:
Great performance from both TB and Ruby. Delighted that PN has something to smile about eventually after all the injuries of his top horses and the debacle of Kauto. Wonder if HJ was pleased?
Click to expand...
Who cares what that horrid HJ thinks.
 
Didn't Tidal Bay run in the National a couple of years ago? I remember him being entered but don't recall if he lined up though my feeling is that he did.
 
Last years GN was such a cavalry charge over most of the 1st circuit I didn't watch! so don't know whether TB really took to The National fences or not before unseating. Perhaps if they do decide to have another go whether Ruby is on board or not will speak volumes presuming JPMc doesn't have anything that he's like Ruby to ride. Re wondering if HJ was pleased in my last post, that remark was make with tongue in cheek!
 
silu said:
Last years GN was such a cavalry charge over most of the 1st circuit I didn't watch! so don't know whether TB really took to The National fences or not before unseating. Perhaps if they do decide to have another go whether Ruby is on board or not will speak volumes presuming JPMc doesn't have anything that he's like Ruby to ride. Re wondering if HJ was pleased in my last post, that remark was make with tongue in cheek!
Click to expand...

Tidal Bay didnt run last year in the GN it was the year before, I think you mean Willie Mullins as AP is JP stable jockey. I did have a wry smile about your HJ comment but I would think he would imagine he was very badly treated to have been stripped of his licence and I would be interested to know whether the Wylies keep in touch with him.
 
Brilliant Irish horse and jockey:)

just shows how good our Irish horses are :) Ridden by a fantastic jockey.:)

GO Tidal Bay and Ruby !! :D
 
Tidal was still with the excuse for a trainer HJ when he ran in the National - Brian Hughes who rode him then is a good jockey, but trained by PN with Ruby on board .............. there's a prospect to savour!
 
Last edited:
I've watched that finish so many times today on the Morning Line and this afternoons replay, and had to show OH a few times, and I still can't believe he wins it!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top