Tidal Bay triumphs in the Hennessy© Photo Healy Racing
Tidal Bay has been ruled out of this afternoon's Argento Chase at Cheltenham after failing to recover from the setback he suffered earlier this week.
The truly admirable 12-year-old was found to be slightly lame after work on Thursday morning, but after diagnosing the problem as pus in a foot, champion trainer Paul Nicholls described his chances of running as "50-50" on Friday morning.
In the absence of the sidelined Bobs Worth, last month's Lexus Chase hero was set to go off favourite for today's recognised Cheltenham Gold Cup trial, but he will not be lining up at Prestbury Park.
Confirming the news on his Twitter account, Nicholls said: "Tidal Bay a non runner today."
His absence leaves a field of 11 to face the starter for the Gold Cup Trial with Grands Crus now likely to head the betting.
