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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
5th 2 |
26th Jun 2026 Good 2m 6f 31y Class 5 |
11st 12lb |
Dual novice winner for previous yard; building up some momentum for this one after beating all bar an improver at Bangor (2m7f, good); considered. |
4/1 |
|
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 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2nd 9 |
18th Jul 2026 Good 2m 6f 31y Class 3 |
10st 12lb |
Won twice on good ground this spring (2m7f/2m4f) and last month's close second at Uttoxeter (2m7f, good) was a career-best performance; likely contender again here. |
7/1 |
|
2nd 3 |
13th Jun 2026 Good 2m 7f 70y Class 4 |
12st 0lb |
Has returned from a short break in fine fettle and recorded back-to-back wins at Chepstow (2m7f, good) in April and Aintree (2m4f, good) last month; must have a good chance of landing the hat-trick here. |
3/1 |
|
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 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2nd 8 |
1st Jul 2026 Good 2m 4f 0y Class 5 |
10st 13lb |
Lightly raced; tenacious winner of 2m5f chase at Newton Abbot (good) last June but soft ground may have counted against her next time and she wasn't seen after July; a long way back on her recent yard debut but there's still hope for her at this level on anything like her old form. |
8/1 |
|
7th 5 |
6th Jun 2026 Good 2m 4f 0y Class 5 |
11st 0lb |
Scored on her second chase start at Newton Abbot (2m5f, good) last June for John O'Shea; absent since last July and makes stable debut; best watched unless the market speaks in her favour. |
7/1 |
|
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 |
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