The 10-year-old came from the clouds to chase home Imperial Commander in the Betfair Chase at Haydock back in November and again looked likely to be tailed off at one stage in Cheltenham's Argento Chase.
However, he again consented to run on in the home straight to finish a close second behind Neptune Collonges and his big-race jockey feels the stronger pace he should get in the Gold Cup will bring out the best in him.
"Tidal is in great form and we're looking forward to Cheltenham," Hughes said.
"It's great for me to have a ride in such a big race and to have the ride on a horse with a lot of ability. Everyone calls him names but tell me another horse who can give Imperial Commander 20 lengths and catch him?
"I felt the last day had they gone a bit quicker, I'd have won. The Paul Nicholls horse (Neptune Collonges) was tired at the finish and he had it all his own way early on.
"No disrespect to Mon Mome and Carruthers, but they were third and fourth in the Gold Cup last year and Tidal Bay has more ability than the two of them put together.
"It's a Gold Cup and I'm sure they'll go a good gallop. We'll drop in behind them and hunt away and we deserve to be there. Hopefully we'll be staying on at the end."
2011 Gold Cup best-price odds:
This table displays the current best-price available for each horse with odds updated in real-time. To claim a free bet from any of these bookmakers click the links below:
Bet365 £200 free bet | Skybet £35 free bet | Will Hill £25 free bet | 888sport £25 free bet Victor Chandler £25 free bet | Stan James £25 free bet | Paddy Power £50 free bet Sportingbet £50 free bet | Ladbrokes £25 free bet | totesport £10 free bet
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Tidal Bay finished 4th in the 2009 Ryanair Chase, won by Imperial Commander
2 comments:
Now i dont know if im going crazy here or if im just seeing this as it plainly is.
I actually think Tidal Bay is going to win this years Gold Cup by a street if the ground turns up soft on the friday.
not only do i think he will he win , but i believe he will by a many lenghts and absolutley embarrasing his competition as he did in the arkle in 2008.
I just cant have these bull**** runnings that they have given the horse by running him 15 lenghts off the pace, ok his jumping isnt the best as he can get in close, however this faster pace will see him wont see him being as many lenghts back....and in theory will give him the lenghts to be crowned the 2011 gold cup winner.
At best-price 33/1 we wouldn't put you off if conditions come up soft - especially as there have been 10 horses priced 33/1 and bigger placed in the Gold Cup since 1997!
If it is soft we also like the e/w chances of Welsh National winner Synchronised who is currently available at a massive 66/1 with Stan James.
He is an out and out stayer and the Gold Cup has a history of stamina ladened horses being placed in the race at big prices like Mon Mome at 50/1 last year, Neptune Collonges at 25/1 in 2008 and Turpin Green at 40/1 in 2007.
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