Ruby's views on the Hennessy Ruby Walsh cannot wait to resume allegiances with Paul Nicholls when Tidal Bay goes for the Hennessy Gold Cup at Leopardstown on Sunday. The star jockey will be having just his third ride for Nicholls since his well-publicised departure last May as number one to the Ditcheat handler. Walsh said: "People sometimes ask if I am still on good terms with Paul and the answer is an emphatic 'yes'. I'd say I talk to him maybe a couple of times a month, we achieved a lot together and you don't forget about that overnight." The jockey went on: "It will be just my third ride for Paul since I decided to leave behind the constant grind of travelling over and back to England, and I am very much looking forward to it." Tidal Bay made a triumphant visit to Leopardstown last season when he won an epic renewal of the Lexus Chase in the hands of Walsh. He also demonstrated in the Welsh National at Chepstow in December, when a brave third under top weight, that the fires still burn brightly. Walsh told the Irish Examiner: "Tidal Bay is a grand old warrior and, though now a 13-year-old, there is no evidence he is in decline. He proved that last time with a cracking effort when third in the Welsh National at Chepstow, conceding the first two home no less than 26lb. "The more rain that falls the better for him. He jumps fine, although he has his own way of doing things in that department. "I believe six of the seven runners can win and the only surprise, at least as far as I'm concerned, would be if Roi Du Mee proved good enough. "First Lieutenant is probably the form horse on his second to Bobs Worth in the Lexus, while Last Instalment made a fine return at Thurles. "Dessie Hughes, not given to blowing his own trumpet too loud, has been making positive noises regarding Lyreen Legend and that has to be a consideration as well."
