tracked leaders, led 7th, ridden and headed 3 out, led again run-in, hard ridden and held on towards finish
led, blundered badly and headed 7th, soon with leader, led again 3 out, in command when blundered last, soon headed, kept on towards finish
held up in rear, headway 4 out, weakened 2 out
held up, chased leaders after 4 out, one pace from 2 out
held up, pushed along 6th, never dangerous
chased leader, ridden 4 out, weakened next
The exciting novice Tidal Bay is the selection ahead of Orpen Wide and Leslingtaylor. This race can be viewed as a trial as connections decide which of the novice championship races to target at the Cheltenham Festival. Three from three this season, Tidal Bay beat what appeared promising rivals at Cheltenham last time. Subsequent events make you wonder how much those rivals have progressed but you cannot fault the manner of his victories. His jumping has not been totally satisfactory which is always a concern in a truly run two miler, such as the Arkle. However, he should prove too strong for his rivals today, after which, connections can hopefully decide which race will be his target at the festival. Orpen Wide ran a cracker last time out but the form is suspect when the front two went far too quick and died in the closing stages. Rated 125 over hurdles, he should pick up a novice and certainly handicaps. Leslingtaylor has been a real flag bearer for the John Quinn yard, winning the Swinton Hurdle in May of last year, a race that Orpen Wide finished third. He appears most effective on a quicker surface though and will be winning when the ground begins to dry out. Tidal Bay is the selection here as he sets his sights on bigger targets in the coming weeks.
Leslingtaylor (IRE) 11-2 (11-10) Mid-division, 5th and in touch when fell 4 out in race won by Moon Over Miami (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m nov chs Grd 2 (1) gs in Nov, 8 ran.
Tidal Bay (IRE) 5-6fav (11-8) Tracked leader, led just after 2 out, soon shaken up, edged slightly left after last, ridden, ran on well flat, won at Cheltenham 2m 5f nov chs (2) gd in Dec beating Gold Medallist (11-0) by 5l, 6 ran.
Pseudonym (IRE) 22-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear, headway 9th, weakened before 3 out, 4th of 7, 26l behind Gods Token (10-12) at Fakenham 2m 5f nov chs (3) gs in Jan.
Caraman (IRE) 11-1 (11-0) In touch, chased leading pair approaching 5th, ridden and no impression after 4 out, 3rd of 7, 9l behind Cedrus Libani (11-10) at Catterick 2m nov chs (3) gd in Dec.
Orpen Wide (IRE) 25-1 (11-0) Held up well in rear, headway before 3 out, every chance last, no extra flat, 3rd of 6, 3l behind Wee Robbie (11-0) at Ascot 2m 1f nov chs Grd 2 (1) sft in Jan.
River Logic (IRE) 50-1 (10-5) In touch, weakened from 7th, 8th of 11, well behind Nevertika (11-8) at Doncaster 2m 3f nov chs (3) gd in Jan.
