Twiston-Davies on Bay watch

Paul Nicholls believes it is "highly likely" Sam Twiston-Davies will partner Tidal Bay in the Crabbie's Grand National at Aintree on April 5.

With Ruby Walsh sidelined, the Ditcheat handler could turn to Twiston-Davies, who was successful aboard the popular 13-year-old at Wetherby in November.

Nicholls said: "It is highly likely that Sam Twiston-Davies will be riding Tidal Bay because he has won on him already this season."

Twiston-Davies said: "I have been lucky enough to enjoy a good record over the Grand National fences. I am not sure yet who I will be riding in the Grand National this year. My father (Nigel Twiston-Davies) has first choice but I could be riding Tidal Bay. We will just have to wait and see."

Grand National ante-post favourite is Teaforthree, who jumped well in the Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup on Friday and finished third in last year's Grand National. Trainer Rebecca Curtis said: "He is in great form and has come out of the Cheltenham Gold Cup really well.

"I don't think he had too hard a race, being allowed to coast home up the hill. He has eaten everything up and being freshened up out in the field - we will be hopeful of a good run."

Seabass has been withdrawn from the National after suffering a serious injury at Down Royal on Monday. Trained by Ted Walsh and ridden by his daughter, Katie, Seabass was third at Aintree in 2012 and went off the 11-2 favourite under last year only to finish 13th. However, the 11-year-old finished last in his warm-up in the Daily Mirror Chase, after which he was found to have sustained ligament damage.

Pat Glynn, of owners the Gunners Syndicate, said: "He'll be out of action for at least six months and maybe eight (months). We were looking forward to him at Aintree again as he was coming back to form. He suffered ligament damage mid-way through the race. We thought he wasn't 100 per cent, and when he got home he was very lame. He had a scan and they found ligament damage.

"He's had tendon trouble before and made a full recovery. If he's OK we might put him back into training, but we're not sure about that at the moment. He'd been working very well at home and we had big hopes for him. He's been a very good servant for us."

Tidal Bay remains the top weight of the 73 horses still engaged after 27 came out at the latest forfeit stage. Those to have been taken out include several others owned by Graham Wylie such as last week's controversial Cheltenham Gold Cup runner-up On His Own and the somewhat disappointing Boston Bob. Others to have been scratched include Kauto Stone, Cantlow, Carlingford Lough, Cape Tribulation, Mon Parrain and Pandorama.

Only 40 horses can start, with four reserves. Currently sitting right at the bottom of those guaranteed a run is the David Pipe-trained The Package, who ran in the 2010 renewal and was an eyecatching third at Cheltenham last week.