Joe Tizzard Saturday Blog | Kempton & Uttoxeter
12 Mar 2026
Coral Racing Ambassador, Joe Tizzard, previews the chances of his eight runners on Saturday, including Rock My Way in the feature race of the day, The Midlands National, at Uttoxeter!
13:50 Uttoxeter – Kasino Des Mottes
Kasino Des Mottes was in the Albert Bartlett at Cheltenham but he was balloted out, which probably wasn’t a bad thing as he would have been a 100-1 shot in that race. This is a handicap and he won’t mind if they get the rain and the ground softens up. He would have a chance here but he is really a horse for next year, when he’ll make a lovely novice chaser.
14:08 Kempton – Rightsotom
Rightsotom would definitely have a chance. He finished third at Kempton last time, one place behind Madara on that day, and we saw what he did at Cheltenham on Tuesday. The track and trip will suit him and I can see him running a massive race.
14:25 Uttoxeter – Hartington
Hartington has had a good season, but that does mean the handicapper may have caught up with him. He gets this trip well and I think Uttoxeter will suit him, so although this has attracted a maximum field I hope he can be competitive.
15:00 Uttoxeter – Rock My Way
We’ve come here with this horse rather than running in the Ultima on the first day of the Cheltenham Festival. It does mean he has to carry top weight here, which isn’t easy over 4 miles plus but if he gets into a rhythm early on then I think he’s capable of carrying it as he is a big strong type.
I don’t think this is the strongest Midlands National and his mark of 138 as top weight backs that up, so if Brendan [Powell] can get him jumping early on he’s not without a chance.
15:53 Kempton – Etna Bianco
I still think this horse could be good enough for a graded race at Aintree next month, but he needs to run a big race here if that’s the case. I was initially disappointed with his run at Ascot last time, but I know they think a lot of the winner of that and the third home that day has won well since, so it may have been a decent run.
As I say he needs to win or go close here if we are to go to Aintree, but I can see that happening.
16:28 Kempton – Pedley Wood
Pedley Wood generally wins a race or two each year, and he’s run well at Kempton before. He’s back down to a mark of 108 which is his last winning mark and I’m pleasantly surprised only eight runners were declared for this. He should run his race, it’s just whether there are one or two too good in here for him.
17:20 Uttoxeter – Jenny France & Marvetta
We run two in the Mares’ Bumper, and they are two nice mares. Jenny France is the more forward of the pair, she won her point-to-point in Ireland and I think she’s well enough to go close here. If she does we’d look at the Mares’ Bumper at Aintree for her and she’s the pick of Brendan.
Jack Tudor rides Marvetta, a mare we bought as a store horse and who needed some time to grow into her frame, which we’ve given her. Whatever she does this year she’ll be seen to better effect over hurdles next season.
Joe Tizzard, Coral Racing Ambassador
13:50 Uttoxeter – Kasino Des Mottes
Kasino Des Mottes was in the Albert Bartlett at Cheltenham but he was balloted out, which probably wasn’t a bad thing as he would have been a 100-1 shot in that race. This is a handicap and he won’t mind if they get the rain and the ground softens up. He would have a chance here but he is really a horse for next year, when he’ll make a lovely novice chaser.
14:08 Kempton – Rightsotom
Rightsotom would definitely have a chance. He finished third at Kempton last time, one place behind Madara on that day, and we saw what he did at Cheltenham on Tuesday. The track and trip will suit him and I can see him running a massive race.
14:25 Uttoxeter – Hartington
Hartington has had a good season, but that does mean the handicapper may have caught up with him. He gets this trip well and I think Uttoxeter will suit him, so although this has attracted a maximum field I hope he can be competitive.
15:00 Uttoxeter – Rock My Way
We’ve come here with this horse rather than running in the Ultima on the first day of the Cheltenham Festival. It does mean he has to carry top weight here, which isn’t easy over 4 miles plus but if he gets into a rhythm early on then I think he’s capable of carrying it as he is a big strong type.
I don’t think this is the strongest Midlands National and his mark of 138 as top weight backs that up, so if Brendan [Powell] can get him jumping early on he’s not without a chance.
15:53 Kempton – Etna Bianco
I still think this horse could be good enough for a graded race at Aintree next month, but he needs to run a big race here if that’s the case. I was initially disappointed with his run at Ascot last time, but I know they think a lot of the winner of that and the third home that day has won well since, so it may have been a decent run.
As I say he needs to win or go close here if we are to go to Aintree, but I can see that happening.
16:28 Kempton – Pedley Wood
Pedley Wood generally wins a race or two each year, and he’s run well at Kempton before. He’s back down to a mark of 108 which is his last winning mark and I’m pleasantly surprised only eight runners were declared for this. He should run his race, it’s just whether there are one or two too good in here for him.
17:20 Uttoxeter – Jenny France & Marvetta
We run two in the Mares’ Bumper, and they are two nice mares. Jenny France is the more forward of the pair, she won her point-to-point in Ireland and I think she’s well enough to go close here. If she does we’d look at the Mares’ Bumper at Aintree for her and she’s the pick of Brendan.
Jack Tudor rides Marvetta, a mare we bought as a store horse and who needed some time to grow into her frame, which we’ve given her. Whatever she does this year she’ll be seen to better effect over hurdles next season.
Joe Tizzard, Coral Racing Ambassador
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