Lexus Chase Result: Tidal wins thriller

Ruby Walsh produced Tidal Bay to get up in the final strides

Tidal Bay, trained by Paul Nicholls and ridden by Ruby Walsh, won a fantastic renewal of the Lexus Chase, narrowly prevailing in a blanket finish...

Flemenstar, sent off as favourite to supplement his win in the John Durkan, was moving powerfully as they swung for home, but he had never raced over three miles under Rules and seemingly ran out of stamina close home.

Peter Casey's charge battled valiantly as First Lieutenant threw down a challenge after the last, but it was Tidal Bay who was finishing best of all and got up to win by a head. First Lieutenant was second while Flemenstar held on for third, just denying Sir Des Champs who was staying on well but was hindered by some jumping mistakes.

The Paul Nicholls-trained gelding was owner Graham Wylie's second Grade 1 winner on the card after Back In Focus took the Topaz Chase.

Tidal Bay now trades as a 13.012/1 chance to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup. Bobs Worth, who defeated Tidal Bay in the Hennessy, is currently favourite, available to back at 4.216/5.

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