Joe Tizzard & Sean Bowen Sunday Blog | Dublin Racing Festival & Scottish Cheltenham Trials
31 Jan 2026
Coral Racing Ambassadors, Joe Tizzard & Sean Bowen, preview their runners and rides on Sunday, including Sean's exciting ride on Backmersackme for shrewd trainer Emmet Mullins, who finished second at the Cheltenham Showcase Meeting earlier this season.
JOE TIZZARD: 'HE COULD TAKE SOME BEATING IF ANYWHERE CLOSE TO HIS BEST'
15:05 Musselburgh – Rock My Way
Rock My Way ran a cracker two starts back at Ascot in the Berkshire National. He then got off to a slow start in the Coral Welsh Grand National at Chepstow, and although he got back into the contest, he had to use up a lot of petrol in the process. This is a nice field for him to be involved in, and Brendan should be able to travel at the pace he wants to go at.
We obviously have top weight, and that is never easy in these sorts of races, but I do think he could take some beating if anywhere close to his best. It would be great to see him back in the winner’s enclosure, and then we can look at some big prizes for him at the back end of the season.
This is the first time we have been involved in this meeting. There is some great prize money on offer over the two days and Musselburgh is a lovely racecourse. The ground looks perfect for this time of the year and hopefully, it will be worth the long trip north of the border.
SEAN BOWEN: 'I SEE NO REASON WHY SHE CAN'T BE IN THE MIX'
12:40 Leopardstown – Shoda
Shoda has made a decent start to her hurdles career without getting her nose in front. She is a well-bred mare who had some success on the flat, and I am sure it won’t be long before she is winning races over hurdles. I am encouraged by her last run at Clonmel, as that came on heavy ground and she handled it well. This is a large field, and it will be competitive, but I see no reason why she can’t be in the mix.
14:45 Leopardstown – Backmersackme
I rode Backmersackme at Cheltenham’s Showcase Meeting earlier this season and he ran a cracking race behind Three Card Brag. He has gone up 3lb since that run, but I still think he could be well handicapped although this horse has had 14 runs over obstacles and is yet to score. These are exactly the kind of races Emmet Mullins targets with his horses, we're at the bottom end of the weights, and I am looking forward to riding him.
15:52 Leopardstown – I Started A Joke
I Started A Joke broke his maiden in impressive style at Punchestown earlier this month. He is racing off a mark of 126 here, but that could still be a lenient rating given how easily he scored. This looks like an excellent ride to pick up for Charles Byrnes, and he is my best chance of the weekend.
Joe Tizzard & Sean Bowen, Coral Racing Ambassadors
JOE TIZZARD: 'HE COULD TAKE SOME BEATING IF ANYWHERE CLOSE TO HIS BEST'
15:05 Musselburgh – Rock My Way
Rock My Way ran a cracker two starts back at Ascot in the Berkshire National. He then got off to a slow start in the Coral Welsh Grand National at Chepstow, and although he got back into the contest, he had to use up a lot of petrol in the process. This is a nice field for him to be involved in, and Brendan should be able to travel at the pace he wants to go at.
We obviously have top weight, and that is never easy in these sorts of races, but I do think he could take some beating if anywhere close to his best. It would be great to see him back in the winner’s enclosure, and then we can look at some big prizes for him at the back end of the season.
This is the first time we have been involved in this meeting. There is some great prize money on offer over the two days and Musselburgh is a lovely racecourse. The ground looks perfect for this time of the year and hopefully, it will be worth the long trip north of the border.
SEAN BOWEN: 'I SEE NO REASON WHY SHE CAN'T BE IN THE MIX'
12:40 Leopardstown – Shoda
Shoda has made a decent start to her hurdles career without getting her nose in front. She is a well-bred mare who had some success on the flat, and I am sure it won’t be long before she is winning races over hurdles. I am encouraged by her last run at Clonmel, as that came on heavy ground and she handled it well. This is a large field, and it will be competitive, but I see no reason why she can’t be in the mix.
14:45 Leopardstown – Backmersackme
I rode Backmersackme at Cheltenham’s Showcase Meeting earlier this season and he ran a cracking race behind Three Card Brag. He has gone up 3lb since that run, but I still think he could be well handicapped although this horse has had 14 runs over obstacles and is yet to score. These are exactly the kind of races Emmet Mullins targets with his horses, we're at the bottom end of the weights, and I am looking forward to riding him.
15:52 Leopardstown – I Started A Joke
I Started A Joke broke his maiden in impressive style at Punchestown earlier this month. He is racing off a mark of 126 here, but that could still be a lenient rating given how easily he scored. This looks like an excellent ride to pick up for Charles Byrnes, and he is my best chance of the weekend.
Joe Tizzard & Sean Bowen, Coral Racing Ambassadors
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