17:30 Taunton

Wednesday 22 April 2026

All16:5317:3018:0018:3019:0019:30

Royal Ascot Lunch Saturday 20 June Mares' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 17:30 | Winning time: 5m 57.52s

Lady Caro²⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: Cameron Johnstone-Baker⁽⁷⁾| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 100| CD

10/3

Fair hurdler who posted a career best when winning 10-runner handicap over C&D (4/1, good) in March. Likely she'll find things tougher having been raised 8 Ib for that success, however.

Form: 337421

Jena D'oudairies^b1²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: Freddie Gingell| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 100| C

13/2

Become disappointing this season, well below best when fifth of 8 in handicap hurdle at Wincanton (21.4f, good, 10/1) 21 days ago. Is fitted with first-time blinkers and has been given further help from the handicapper, though the trip remains an unknown.

Form: 5-47565

Border Gem²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Chad Bament⁽⁷⁾| T: J Scott| OR: 93

5/2

Maiden who bounced back to form when second of 6 in handicap hurdle at Hereford (19.7f, good to soft) last month. Should go well again from the same mark with a 7-Ib claimer in the saddle, whilst the longer trip looks sure to suit.

Form: 542452

Miss Tiara^t²⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: Lorcan Williams| T: J Scott| OR: 92

4/1

Got back on the up following a second breathing operation when 6¾ lengths third of 10 to Lady Caro in handicap hurdle over C&D (good) in March. Stamina is no issue, but she's no sure thing to back latest effort up.

Form: P-25963

Hurst Hill¹⁶³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Daniel Sansom⁽³⁾| T: J W Mullins| OR: 88

11/1

Winner of a mares handicap hurdle at Newton Abbot (21.5f, good) in July. Largely held form well since, finishing runner-up in handicap hurdle (9/1) at Kempton (24.6f, good to soft) when last seen in November. That race has worked out well but there's a chance this is a pipe-opener.

Form: 312242

Poet's Muse¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 10-13| J: C Gethings| T: I Chanin| OR: 85| D

40/1

Lightly-raced mare who's finished well held in 3 maidens. She's a winning pointer who will appreciate this longer trip, but improvement is required on handicap debut.

Form: 7-1640

Pooley's Promise^p,t1²⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-5| J: R P McLernon| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 77| D

5/1

Won novice handicap hurdle at Ffos Las (3m, good) last spring for Ryan Potter. Off 3 months/equipped with first-time cheekpieces when fifth behind Lady Caro on first start for this yard in mares handicap hurdle over C&D (good) last month. Tongue strap added.

Form: P-14595

Bee's Kiss³⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 10-2| J: James Best| T: J D Frost| OR: 66| D

50/1

Irish point winner who's not shown much in 4 starts over hurdles. Makes handicap bow from 8 Ib out of the weights.

Form: 127P09

Forecasts

Border Gem (5/2), Lady Caro (10/3), Miss Tiara (4/1), Pooley's Promise (5/1), Jena D'oudairies (13/2), Hurst Hill (11/1), Poet's Muse (40/1), Bee's Kiss (50/1)

A trappy mares handicap hurdle and BORDER GEM looks just about the safest bet on the back of her most recent effort from the same mark. Jena D'oudairies has tumbled in the weights if first-time blinkers have a positive effect, while Miss Tiara is no forlorn hope if repeating her last run.