Trained by initially by Howard Johnson and subsequently by Paul Nicholls and owned by Graham and Andrea Wylie, he was bred by John Dorgan.

He made his debut in a National Hunt flat race (under Michal Kohl) at Wetherby on 18 March 2006, where he finished a half length second to Scribano Eile.

Tidal Bay then went on to improve on that in Mersey Novices' Hurdle at Aintree in April 2007, where he beat Wins Now by 8 lengths under Paddy Brennan.

He was sent off the 6/1 second favourite for the 2008 Arkle Challenge Trophy behind market leader Noland (7/4) and it was in this race that Tidal Bay gained the biggest success of his career to date, where he was a comfortable 13 length winner over Kruguyrova.

In January 2009 Tidal Bay was 3rd behind Joe Lively and Welsh National winner Halcon Genelardais in the Letherby & Christopher chase on heavy going at Cheltenham.

He put up a decent performance for 2nd behind Monet's Garden and in doing so beat that seasons eventual Grand National winner Don't Push It.

Tidal Bay then pulled off a shock when winning the Grade 2 Cleeve Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival Trials meeting beating ace hurdlers Lough Derg and Katchit as well as the potentially top class chaser Time For Rupert.

He travelled well through the first circuit, then once again he idled and found himself at one point over 80 yards behind the leaders with 4 fences remaining only to produce his incredible finish at the end of the race to go down by under 14 lengths to Long Run.

He produced his trademark late surge to win the race beating First Lieutenant, Flemenstar, and Sir Des Champs in a four way go for the line.