Racing:Tidal Bay and Howard Johnson returned like ghosts from Cheltenham past to plunder the Betfair Cleeve Hurdle. At the 2008 Festival, Tidal Bay seemed to be on his way to a glittering career after winning the Arkle, but the path has been littered with disappointment ever since as Johnson tinkered with his trip and with accessories to help him return to form.
The latest idea was a last-minute one as he came back to the smaller obstacles for a race won in 2008 by the trainer’s legendary Inglis Drever, who went on to collect a third Ladbrokes World Hurdle that season.
Johnson has not totally committed Tidal Bay to the staying title, for which the sponsors offer 10-1 from 40s, but he is certainly tempted after a five-length defeat of Time For Rupert.
The County Durham trainer said: “He’s enjoyed himself today and we had to do something as I was getting knocked and the horse was getting knocked. No-one likes getting knocked.
“We entered him in this and the Argento Chase but it got to about a minute to 12 and I thought I’ll save myself #500 and take him out of the chase so I don’t get tempted to run him.
“I rang Graham (Wylie, owner) and told him I’d schooled him over two sets of hurdles and eight poles, he’d jumped great and we would have a go at the Cleeve.
“He’ll be 10lb better if the ground dries up as he doesn’t like dead ground and it was pretty dead out there.
“He’s a quality horse. It’s like with people, class always tells.”
Johnson provided further engaging insight into Tidal Bay’s chances, continuing: “We had tried him over two-five, tried him over two miles, tried him with ear plugs and everything.
“We just used an ordinary snaffle and sheepskin noseband and when we tacked him up today, my head girl told me he was number 13 when he won the Arkle and he was number 13 today, so I thought that will do for me.
“All the jockeys said he didn’t make a noise but I got the vet to check him out in the summer. He said he needed hobdaying, so I just said do it now.
“Inglis Drever’s not around and he’s a different horse, he’s nine already.
“He’s in the World Hurdle and I don’t fancy going back chasing at the minute, but I’ll have a word with Graham and see what he says.”
Tidal Bay was 14-1 on this occasion and with usual rider Denis O’Regan injured, one of Johnson’s former jockeys, Brian Hughes, stepped up to the plate.
The gelding is known for his high head carriage and quirky nature but Hughes pulled the job off magnificently, holding him up through much of the race and delving into his plentiful reserves up the final hill.
He said: “This was the forgotten horse of the race and there weren’t too many Arkle winners in that field.
“He didn’t really like the ground but fair play to Howard and his team as they had him spot on and the horse dug very deep.
“He was flat out all the way and he’s got his critics but he didn’t half try there.
“Howard just wanted to give the horse a change of scenery and it’s worked.”
Time For Rupert repelled Katchit by a head and trainer Paul Webber said: “He’s coming along and we are very proud of him.
“He still has some ground to make up in this division and it’s always tough for a horse in his graduation season towards chasing, but I do think there is more to come and he will take his chance in the World Hurdle.”
The disappointment was the 11-4 favourite Lie Forrit, who was rarely going well and was eventually pulled-up.
Trainer Willie Amos is now likely to give him another chance in the Rendlesham Hurdle at Haydock.