Johnson is warming to bold bid from Tidal Bay

The talented eight-year-old won both the Arkle Trophy at Cheltenham and the Magull Novices' Chase at Aintree last year, but suffered niggling interruptions to his training schedule this term.

It was touch and go whether Tidal Bay would run at the Festival after cutting his leg in the Letheby & Christopher Chase at the same track in January.

But after much deliberation, Johnson gave Tidal Bay the go-ahead to run in the Ryanair Chase last month. The decision was partly vindicated when he made good late headway to finish fourth to Imperial Commander.

But now that the sun is on his back, Johnson is hoping that Tidal Bay can regain his old form.

He said: "Cheltenham wasn't great for us. It didn't work because the weather was terrible in the north, with snow and ice all winter. We didn't have a winner.

"But Tidal Bay is fine now. He suffered an over-reach before we went down to Cheltenham again and he took a lot of getting right.

"He is lucky to be racing again, but we've got him right now and good ground will suit him. He hasn't had it since he won at Aintree last year."

Tidal Bay faces 10 rivals in the £200,000 two-and-half-mile chase. They include two former Champion Chase winners Newmill and Voy Por Ustedes, Grade 1 winners Exotic Dancer - who runs in the Totesport Bowl today - and Schindler's Hunt, multiple Grade 2 winners Briareus and Natal, and talented youngster Petit Robin.

"It's a hot race. Really hot," said Johnson. "But it's a good one to win. He's our main hope at the meeting and I hope we can strike gold with him." The trainer says future running plans are fluid for Tidal Bay, who will be partnered by Denis O'Regan.

He said: "It just depends how it goes. He'll probably be put away, to be honest. But if he won it, we might give him one more run at Sandown."