Paul Nicholls: Tidal Bay out of Gold Cup with Aintree the number one priority

The Grand National is Tidal Bay's number one priority

Tidal Bay has been given a great chance to run well in the Grand National says Paul Nicholls, so much so that his veteran chaser is out of the Gold Cup, though he could still appear in the World Hurdle...

Well, the handicapper has certainly given Tidal Bay every chance in the Grand National.

And Aintree is the number one priority for him.

So much so that after speaking to Mr Wylie last night, we have scratched Tidal Bay from the Gold Cup, and if it means foregoing running in the World Hurdle to have him at his peak for Aintree, then so be it.

As you know, he had to miss the Argento as he was slightly lame. But he is going in the right direction now and has been cantering.

If he does run before Aintree, it will be in the World Hurdle. But we will only to go to Cheltenham if I am 100% happy with him.

Timeform have him 5lb clear of the Aintree field on their adjusted ratings, which isn't surprising given that he races off a 4lb lower mark than when second to Bobs Worth in the Hennessy and some 9lb lower than his current mark.

He unseated his rider at the 10th in the 2011 Grand National but I would like to think he is a better horse these days, and I can see him relishing the challenge.

Join Together ran an excellent race when second in the Becher in December. He has been waiting for better ground and hopefully he will get that at Doncaster a fortnight on Saturday when the plan is to run him in a 3m2f handicap chase there.

Harry The Viking needs to get back on track after a slightly disappointing run in the Hennessy last time, but I have always thought of him as a potential National horse and he is crying out for good ground. We will see where we are with him after his next start, which will be in one of the handicaps at Cheltenham.

What A Friend has been off with a small injury and the plan with him is the Racing Plus Chase. He was pulled up in the 2011 Grand National - but in hindsight it was not ideal that he went there after a hard race when fourth in the Gold Cup - and is only a tentative entry at this stage.