Johnson baffled by Bay form

Classy chaser leaves trainer frustrated

Last updated: 20th December 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Click Here for Your Free Bet
Tidal Bay - April 2008

Tidal Bay

Related links

Also see

Tidal Bay has left trainer Howard Johnson puzzled by his latest defeat in the Peterborough Chase earlier this month.

The eight-year-old appeared to have a big future when landing the Arkle Trophy by a wide margin, but has failed to win in the last 12 months despite being tried over a variety of trips.

He was disappointing when finishing only fourth at Huntingdon when his performance was punctuated by a number jumping errors.

However, nothing has come to light to explain the effort leaving Johnson scratching his head.

"The mistakes cost him at Huntingdon," said Johnson. "I've had all the checks done, a heart monitor and everything and it is absolutely perfect but he's been wobbling after a race.

"We've sent blood and urine samples off to Newmarket just to see if he is lacking in anything we are not picking up on.

"Tidal Bay is Tidal Bay and that's it. He's a headscratcher. There is a big race in him, but it's getting everything right on the day.

"I'll step him up to three miles again, I'll never go back to two. He'll go to Cheltenham for the race Grey Abbey won at the end of January.

"He's well enough, but there is a chance he peaked when he won the Arkle."