Tidal Bay ruled out of the Grand National

Tidal Bay one of the leading fancies for the 2013 Grand National has today sadly been rules out of both The World Hurdle and The Grand National after a MRI scan revealed a tiny stress fracture to the lower cannon bone of his right hind leg. He will require a months box rest that will which sadly rules out The Grand National on April 6th.

With Tidal Bay allocated top weight of 11-10 the weights will now rise at least 2 pounds with Albertas Run now topping the weights for the £975,000 Aintree spectacular but he is not a certain runner with The Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham is main objective before connections decide on whether he takes his chance in the National.

Imperial Commander another horse who has yet to be confirmed a definite starter with The Cheltenham Gold Cup his primary objective is next on the list with 11-6 followed by Quito De La Roque and What A Friend both given 11-5 who are also not 100% certain to line up at Aintree.

Earlier in the week myself along with many others including Tom Segal in pricewise saw Tidal Bay as there idea of the winner of this years National after being favourably handicapped so its back to the drawing board now especially with the uncertainly on how much the weights will go up.

Teaforfree one of my other early fancies will now see his weight bumped above 11st with a minimum of 11-1 to carry while my other pick after the publication of the weights Beshabar should still get in with a nice weight with only 10-7 to carry if Albertas Run takes his chance but backing Tim Vaughan's 2011 Scottish Grand National hero carries a risk with him being out of action of well over a year so his fitness will have to be taken on trust but he ticks all the right boxes so its a risk ill be prepared to take come the big day and shall have a small amount on the 11yo.

Cappa Bleu who came from a long way behind to take 4th last year suffering interference during the course of the race and trained by Evan Williams who saddled State Of Play to be placed in 2009,10,11 would now be one id be taking very seriously and hopefully this year he will be ridden slightly closer to the pace and the way he finished last year showed that the marathon trip holds no fears for this classy 11yo.


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