Tidal Bay could take his chance in Saturday's Coral Scottish Grand National at Ayr following his early exit at Aintree last weekend.

The 10-year-old only made it as far as the 10th fence in the Grand National when he parted company with his jockey Brian Hughes, and trainer Howard Johnson can hardly believe how well his mercurial talent has taken those exertions.

‘‘I don't know what to do with him at the moment, but he didn't really have a race at Aintree,'' said Johnson.

‘‘He only got as far as the 10th and he was just lobbing along on the inside when he got rid of Brian .

‘‘The horse has come back and has been in the field ever since. He's bucking, kicking and squealing.

‘‘He's eating up well and kicking sky-high when other horses are going past. He's very well.

‘‘He doesn't over-exert himself and he's had an easy season. He's been geared up for the Grand National and it went wrong on me.

‘‘He's a 10-year-old now and where can he go now? I might be tempted to run him on Saturday.''

Should top-weight Neptune Collonges line up at Ayr this weekend, Tidal Bay will be next on the list with 11st 10lb on his back.

If connections decide to give Tidal Bay the green light, the next decision to be made will be whether to claim weight off the veteran with a conditional jockey.

‘‘I'd have to talk to Graham Wylie (owner) about that,'' Johnson added.

‘‘The race will declare on Thursday, so we'll have to decide what we're going to do by then.

‘‘If Paul Nicholls runs the top horse, we'll be next in the weights and I'll have to see what Graham wants to do.''

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n Trainer Mark Johnston has been appointed as a director of the the British Horseracing Authority.

The Middleham handler, who is the Horsemen's member nominated director, is renowned for his strong views on a number of issues in racing and he is looking forward to the challenge of working with the BHA.

He said: ‘‘I think it is vital in any business to have a very strong understanding of the product and I hope I can bring this to the BHA board.''

Nicholas Jones has been appointed as an independent non-executive director while Justin Wadham has moved from his Horsemen's position to become a third independent non-executive director.

BHA chairman Paul Roy added: ‘‘Mark needs little introduction and he has strong views on a wide range of subjects.

‘‘It is testament to his passion for the sport and for the horse that he is finding the time to take up this position. His experience and knowledge will be an asset to the Board.''