Isaac Des Obeaux delivers smooth Midlands National success
By Racing TV
Last Updated: Sat 14 Mar 2026
Isaac Des Obeaux executed a long-held plan for his connections when landing the JenningsBet Midlands Grand National at Uttoxeter.
The eight-year-old was a 28-1 chance for the four-mile-two-furlong staying chase, with Sam Twiston-Davies in the saddle for trainer Paul Nicholls.
A field of 16 were vying for the £90,000 prize, with the winner guided through by his rider to stay on best of all and claim an eight-length victory for owners Ged Mason, Sir Alex Ferguson and Chris and Giles Barber on his first try at a marathon trip.
“We’re delighted. The Barber family are all here today and Paul’s pulled off a magnificent training feat there,” Mason told Sky Sports Racing.
“It’s funny, I wasn’t going to put a bet on. I’m not a big bettor but I’m glad I did!
“We had a good run yesterday from Maestro Conti (second in the Triumph Hurdle) and Regent’s Stroll (third in the Jack Richard Novices’ Chase), we didn’t have a win at Cheltenham but this has made up for it!”
Co-owner Giles Barber added: “This is the idea of one jockey, Harry Cobden, executed by another great jockey in Sam Twiston-Davies.
“It has been a year in the making, what an amazing run and an amazing ride.”
Twiston-Davies, who was riding the horse for the first time, told ITV Racing: “He took a little bit of chivvying along to get going but Harry (Cobden) had warned me about that, so I was ready for it.
“I got him through the gears into an all right slot, he hadn’t wasted any energy and he jumped well.
“I’ve never had anything to do with him so I was just doing as I was told, you always know with Paul’s that they’ll be fit.
“He said the extra trip would help and as is normal with Paul, he was right.”
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