Joe Tizzard Saturday runners blog: 'A repeat run would put him right in the mix here'

Joe Tizzard has four runners at Ascot and Taunton on Saturday, January 17, 2026. The Coral ambassador previews them all in his latest blog.

• Sunset Marquesa - Ascot - 1.40 race odds

• Scarface - Ascot - 2.20 race odds

• Bourbali - Taunton - 3.15 race odds

• Kasino Des Mottes - Ascot - 4.05 race odds

Ascot 1.40 – Sunset Marquesa

Sunset Marquesa was four lengths behind Nurse Susan, who reopposes here, at Sandown last time, we are better off at the weights with that one here as Dan Skelton’s mare carries a penalty for that win, so in theory that should bring us closer to her.

She’s improved with each run this season, including a win at Sandown two runs ago, and she’s come out of that last run really well.  We’re dropping her back in trip to two miles here, but she won’t mind any rain that comes, and Ascot is a stiff track so staying further is a plus. Only five line up and I hope she will run a big race.

Ascot 2.20 – Scarface

It’s a similar story in the 2.20, as Scarface was second to a Dan Skelton runner last time, Etalon, who we’re taking on again here, and again we’re better off at the weights with that rival. That was here at Ascot, and a repeat of that run would put him right in the mix here. It is a £100,000 race, so as competitive as it should be, but we come here with very solid each-way chances.

Taunton 3.15 – Bourbali

It’s the same old story with Bourbali, he’s so consistent he never seems to get a break from the handicapper, but this looks a nice opportunity, only five go in this handicap hurdle for horses aged eight or over, and we’ve booked a good young conditional in Rian Corcoran who can claim seven pounds, which is a big plus.  I hope the pair can run a big race, certainly the horse deserves to get his head in front.

Ascot 4.05 – Kasino Des Mottes

Kasino Des Mottes is a lovely young horse who won his novice hurdle at Kempton in November, and then ran OK to finish fifth in a Grade 2 at Cheltenham before Christmas. That was over three miles, and we’re dropping him back to 2m 5f here, which he won over.  He won’t mind any rain, and he’s a horse we think a lot of, but he does carry a penalty here for his win.

This is a qualifier for the EBF Final at Sandown later in the season, so while he could well be good enough to win this, there are some nice looking horses in the field, and if we could finish in the first four it would be job done as far as qualifying for the final is concerned.

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