Cheltenham G1 glory for Flemensfirth’s son Tidal Bay
11th March 2008
Flemensfirth’s son Tidal Bay (7g Flemensfirth-June’s Bride, by Le Moss) marked himself the outstanding two-mile novice chaser of his generation when winning the G1 Irish Independent Arkle Chase on the opening day of the 2008 Cheltenham Festival in scintillating fashion.
The seven-year-old skipped clear of his rivals on the home turn, to the delight of trainer Howard Johnson. "I’ve had some good horses. Direct Route fell in this race with Tony Dobbin, but he was an out-and-out two-miler, and this horse will stay three miles," said Johnson. "I’ll keep him going for Aintree, but if I’m not happy he’ll go out in a field. Denis (O’Regan) said it was great and the horse gave him a lovely feel. He said he could have gone round again." Owner Graham Wylie added: "We bought this horse at Doncaster, after watching him come second in the Aintree bumper. He was trained near us at Stocksfield by Alistair Charlton, who will be as pleased as we are. It’s a great local story." Tidal Bay, who was bred by John Dorgan, was sold for Ir£5,800 as a foal before being bought for 300,000 guineas by Wylie at Doncaster in May 2006. The seven-year-old was quoted at 10/1 for next year’s G1 Queen Mother Champion Chase by Cashmans following his win.