Saturday Racing Tips: Kevin Blake's backing Jonjo's 12-1 shot in Midlands National

Kevin Blake
17 March 2023
3:00 min read

Kevin has two tips at Uttoxeter this Saturday

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Betfair ambassador Kevin Blake turns his attention to Uttoxeter this Saturday, where he's looking to Jonjo O'Neill's duo, including a two point NAP.

Kevin Blake has a two point NAP in the 15:35 at Uttoxeter
Jonjo O'Neill's Time To Get Up the Midlands National pick
Read about our ambassador's selections below

Jonjo has a great chance in Midlands National

Time To Get Up - 15:00, Uttoxeter

The Cheltenham Festival is done and dusted for another year and while a comedown is inevitable, Uttoxeter always produce a fine card of action around the featured Midlands Grand National.

This year is no different and there are some appealing betting prospects to be found there. The 15:00 Boulton Group Midlands Grand National looks set to be a traditional renewal of the race, as in an absolutely merciless test of stamina in stamina-sapping conditions.

Betfair Uttoxeter.jpg

There are a few that have cascaded down the ratings that make appeal, but none more so than the Jonjo O'Neill-trained Time To Get Up.

The 10-year-old is a lightly-raced sort, but has already run in two renewals of this race, winning the 2021 renewal off a mark of 138 and finishing third in the race last year off a mark of 142.

While he has only hinted at promise in four starts since then, the handicapper has really given him a chance, dropping him to a mark of 130 for this race that gets him off a feather weight of 10-3.

One can be sure that Jonjo O'Neill has been training him with one race in mind all season and he has played a blinder by getting him to his target off pretty much the lowest weight possible.

The rain has arrived and he has proven that a slog over this course and distance plays to his strengths. His current price seems very fair and a strong effort from him wouldn't surprise.

Back Time To Get Up 1pt EW 15:00 Uttoxeter

13.0

Another Jonjo selection for the NAP

Iron Bridge - 15:35, Uttoxeter

The other race of interest is the 15:35 Extra Furlong With Trinity Create Novices' Handicap Chase and the one I like is another Jonjo O'Neill-trained contender in the shape of Iron Bridge.

The seven-year-old would have been well fancied by many had he ran at the Cheltenham Festival, but he runs here instead and rates as a very interesting prospect.

Iron Bridge has run just four times over fences, but has looked a very progressive sort in that time. The run that makes him particularly interesting is his most recent effort in a valuable handicap chase at Warwick.

He was always likely to find the drop to two-and-a-half miles to be against him, but getting hampered at the first fence made his task even stiffer.

In the circumstances, he ran a really promising race to finish a never-nearer second to Galahad Quest, very much shaping as though the return to this longer trip will be a big help to him. This looks to be an excellent opportunity for him to get back on track and he appeals as being a strong bet.

Back Iron Bridge to win 15:35 Uttoxeter 2pts

6.0

The Betfair Sportsbook is offering you the chance to claim a free £10 bet on racing multiples on Saturday 1 April. Bet £10 on a racing multiple with odds great than 2.0 to qualify. T&Cs apply.