15.00
SoftJoin ‘Windsor Blue’ Race Club Mares’ Handicap Hurdle
- Prize money: £5281
- 1m 7f 169y
- Class 4
- 6 runners
Runners: 6 runners
Type: Hurdle Turf
Surface: Turf
Weather: Partly cloudy
Form: 218P-6 C
Last run: 21 days
W: 12st 0lb
7 yo Mare
OR: 114
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2nd 1 |
23rd May 2026 Good 2m 7f 32y Class 5 |
12st 0lb |
Won two novice hurdles (2m3f/2m) for Alistair Ralph in 2023-24; struggled in first three runs for current yard but she showed signs of a revival when third of 12 at Uttoxeter (2m4f, good) last Saturday; was no match for the first two in that race but her mark continues to fall and she looks worth another try at this trip; could be dangerous. |
10/1 |
|
3rd 4 |
16th May 2026 Good 2m 3f 207y Class 5 |
11st 12lb |
Won two novice hurdles (2m3f/2m) for Alistair Ralph in 2023-24; rather disappointing since, including on her three starts for this yard after wind surgery last season (pulled up over fences last time); bit to prove. |
8/1 |
|
5 |
4th Apr 2026 Good To Soft 2m 3f 203y Class 4 |
11st 5lb |
Well handicapped on some of her old hurdle form for Alastair Ralph but she looked held when falling in a 2m5f handicap hurdle here on her reappearance in January; down the field at Ludlow since and hard to know what to expect back chasing (well beaten on previous attempt). |
20/1 |
Form: 37/11- D
Last run: 266 days
W: 11st 13lb
7 yo Mare
OR: 113
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1st 10 |
29th Apr 2025 Yielding To Soft 2m 0f 149y |
10st 6lb |
towards rear, headway from 3 out, went third last, ridden and ran on well to lead towards finish |
8/1 |
|
1st 10 |
29th Apr 2025 Yielding To Soft 2m 0f 149y |
10st 6lb |
towards rear, headway from 3 out, went third last, ridden and ran on well to lead towards finish |
8/1 |
|
1st 1 |
20th Mar 2025 Good 1m 7f 169y Class 4 |
12st 1lb |
Seems to handle any ground; 4-4 since joining new yard and switched to hurdles, beating two rivals at Exeter (2m) most recently; improving mare who commands major respect in this similar event. |
8/11 |
Form: -12314 C
Last run: 40 days
W: 11st 11lb
7 yo Filly
OR: 111
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3rd 1 |
20th Mar 2025 Good 2m 0f 11y Class 4 |
11st 12lb |
Made all at Southwell last May and Stratford in October, so carries a double penalty today; both were on soft ground but she does have some form on good and good to firm; appearances at about 2m4f may help to explain the two heavy defeats among her last four starts; a leading form contender. |
7/4 |
|
6th 1 |
26th Feb 2025 Soft 2m 3f 154y Class 4 |
12st 0lb |
Won on handicap debut at Stratford (extended 2m2f, soft) in October then bounced back from lesser run at Sandown to finish second at Newcastle (2m1f, soft) last time; didn't see out 2m4f on heavy ground at Sandown but may have the necessary stamina for today's assignment; key player if so. |
7/2 |
|
2nd 3 |
28th Jan 2025 Good To Soft 2m 0f 190y Class 4 |
11st 7lb |
Consistent sort who won on her handicap debut at Stratford (2m2f, soft) in October and faded when fourth at Sandown (2m4f, heavy) last month; retains potential now back down in trip and could have a say. |
4/1 |
Form: 4-21P4 D BF
Last run: 39 days
W: 11st 7lb
6 yo Mare
OR: 107
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1st 6 |
15th May 2026 Good 2m 4f 0y Class 4 |
10st 13lb |
Quickened up best off a slow pace to prevail in a small field at Chepstow (2m7f, good); unlikely that represented any improvement on previous best efforts but only went up 4lb. |
9/2 |
|
1st 6 |
24th Apr 2026 Good To Soft 2m 7f 131y Class 4 |
10st 9lb |
Below par on two of her last three outings, including latest when returned to the sound surface of her one career success; hasn't shaped as if in need of this second crack at a stayers' trip (pulled up in the first). |
12/1 |
|
4th 2 |
31st Mar 2026 Good 2m 3f 123y Class 5 |
11st 12lb |
Consistent this season if forgiven her penultimate blip, after which she underwent wind surgery; it was a respectable effort at Haydock next time as that was a competitive Class 2 handicap (2m5f); goes well on good ground and looks a big player. |
3/1 |
Form: 096021 D
Last run: 8 days
W: 10st 6lb
5 yo Filly
OR: 85
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
7th 7 |
6th Apr 2025 Good To Soft 2m 4f 0y Class 4 |
10st 11lb |
Won a Taunton mares' handicap in January (2m, soft); not at her best stepped up to 2m5f last time; could go well but best efforts at shorter. |
12/1 |
|
7th 7 |
6th Apr 2025 Good To Soft 2m 4f 0y Class 4 |
10st 11lb |
Won a Taunton mares' handicap in January (2m, soft); not at her best stepped up to 2m5f last time; could go well but best efforts at shorter. |
12/1 |
|
7th 8 |
12th Feb 2025 Good To Soft 2m 5f 163y Class 5 |
11st 4lb |
Much more competitive since switched to handicaps for last two runs, more recently when scoring at Taunton (2m, soft) five weeks ago; could easily have more to offer if today's longer trip suits; high on the list. |
7/2 |
Form: 233153 D
Last run: 26 days
W: 10st 3lb
6 yo Mare
OR: 89
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
7 |
14th Jul 2025 Good 2m 2f 110y Class 5 |
10st 12lb |
Won over hurdles at Hereford (2m, good to soft) in the autumn and battled on gamely for narrow chase success here (2m5f, good) last month; reverts to hurdling on a workable mark; cheekpieces (worn once last year) are refitted; probably won't be far away. |
11/2 |
|
4th 6 |
27th Jun 2025 Good 2m 5f 34y Class 4 |
10st 5lb |
Sole hurdle win at 2m (good to soft) and she never went beyond about 2m4f but she gave a stout display over 2m5f at Newton Abbot (good) recently on her second chase start, when having to be switched and heading a subsequent winner late on; jumps soundly and a 2lb higher mark shouldn't be beyond her. |
5/2 |
|
1st 5 |
4th Jun 2025 Good 2m 4f 216y Class 4 |
10st 10lb |
Comfortably won over hurdles off a similar mark at Hereford (about 2m1f, good to soft) in November; warm in the market when an encouraging second on her chase debut at Ffos Las (2m, good) 13 days ago, looking like a step up in trip could do the trick; gets that today and surely goes well. |
100/30 |
Betting Forcast
9/1 Victoria Milano, 11/10 Ascending Lark, 5/1 Hard As Nails, 9/1 Roaring Home, 5/1 Ironed Out, 13/2 Culligran
Verdict
Handicap newcomer ASCENDING LARK (nap) is 2-2 over hurdles and for Harry Derham and can make a winning comeback. Hard As Nails could appreciate the drop back in trip and may be the chief threat ahead of last week’s Taunton winner Ironed Out.[Ben Hutton]
Selections
SPOTLIGHT:
Ascending LarkRP RATINGS:
Victoria MilanoThe Guardian:
CulligranWEST COUNTRY:
Hard As NailsThe Times:
Victoria MilanoTOPSPEED:
Ascending LarkPOSTDATA:
Ascending LarkLAMBOURN:
Ascending LarkTelegraph:
Ascending LarkDaily Mail:
Ascending LarkD Express:
Ascending LarkDaily Mirror:
Ascending Lark