THE Cheltenham Gold Cup with be the next race for Howard Johnson’s Tidal Bay after finishing a creditable second in the Argento Chase at Cheltenham last Saturday.

Staying on late in the day, Tidal Bay finished under two lengths off Neptune Collonges who made all the running under AP McCoy.

Afterwards, Johnson said: “They didn’t go quick enough for him and he will head straight for the Gold Cup where he will get a proper gallop.” Bookmakers price Tidal Bay up at 25-1 for the blue ribbon event.

Once again, local racegoers were starved of local action as Doncaster Sky Bet Chase meeting, on the same day, was called off due to frost.

There was some racing in the Midlands, with Uttoxeter beating the frost, and Keith Reveley and his son James were on the mark with Pegasus Prince, who took the 2mi novices’ handicap hurdle to keep up the fine run of owner John Wade.

Ayr kicked off the new week and Alan Swinbank has another smart prospect on his hands with Anychancedave, who ran out a very easy winner of the bumper.

The four-year-old looks the type that can make his mark on the flat and over hurdles as well.

Newcastle had their turn to race on Wednesday and jockey Phil Kinsella had a very welcome winner in the three mile handicap chase on the Chris Crant trained Star Player.

Kinsella has spent a long time on the sidelines due to a bad shoulder injury and the Yarm-based rider will be looking to get back racing full-time and, hopefully, many more winners.

Grant looked like he had secured a double in the day in the concluding bumper when Dark Glacier, the well-backed 3-1 favourite, was first past the post only to lose it in the stewards’ room afterwards as he had drifted badly across the track and impeded Triptico, who was awarded the race.

Looking ahead to the flat season, Mark Johnston appears to have his horses in top form already. At the time of typing the Middleham trainer has had five winners from his last six runners, all ridden by the ever-reliable Joe Fanning.

Catterick stage a sevenrace card this afternoon with the action due under way at 1.10pm. The longest race of the day comes up at 2.45pm with a 3mi handicap hurdle in which the Kate Waltontrained Everaard will be popular with punters.

An easy winner at Musselburgh just over a week ago, he is due to race off a 3lb higher mark in future handicaps and his jockey Richie McGrath thinks another bold show is on the cards, saying: “He did the job well last time out and has come out of the race extremely well.

“This race does look more competitive but Catterick should suit him and hopefully he will run well.”

In the following race, the 2mi3f novices’ hurdle, Graham Lee and Malcolm Jefferson, who have a fine record this season; can have another winner with dual bumper winner Jukebox Melody.

Tomorrow, for the first time in a long while, all the meetings look like beating the weather and there is plenty of quality action throughout the country.

At Sandown, last year’s Champion Hurdle winner Binocular has a straightforward task in the Tote Contenders Hurdle at 1.55pm, trained by Nicky Henderson, AP McCoy will once again be on bored.

There are more Champion Hurdle clues at Ffos Las and this valuable prize can also go to Nicky Henderson yard, this time with the unexposed Oscar Whiskey who runs in the colours of Dai Walters, who not only owns this valuable horse but he also owns the racecourse itself.

Closer to home, Wetherby also race this afternoon and the highlight of the seven race card is the Towton Novices’ Chase at 3.15pm.

One that catches in this Grade 2 contest is the Ian Williams-trained Wayward Prince. A winner over hurdles at last year’s Aintree Festival, Wayward Prince is two from two over fences and will head straight for the RSA Chase at Cheltenham after this race.