Sunshade ready to shine for the Queen at Somerset showcase meeting

3.15 Taunton
totetrifecta Mares' Novices' Hurdle (Listed) | 3yo+ | 2m½f | RUK/ITV4

Taunton must have been good in 2017 as all its Christmases have come at once this year. After inheriting the Grade 2 Peterborough Chase 16 days ago, the stars had aligned for its big Christmas meeting.

It has fallen on a Saturday with its fixed December 30 date, got a royal seal of approval, and escaped the worst of the winter weather to have the racecourse bracing itself for a human deluge.

Bob Young, Taunton's racecourse manager, reported on Friday: "Our average crowd is 1,800 and we're expecting to get 5,000, which tells you just what a big day it is for us – the restaurant is fully booked.

"We got 4,800 last year and couldn't cope. We have learnt from that and have put up a big marquee and have 40 additional portaloos, 30 reserved for ladies toilets."

The main race, the Listed Totetrifecta Mares' Novices' Hurdle, featured a Willie Mullins-trained winner two years ago and this year it is an unbeaten royal runner, Sunshade, who has heightened interest.

Trained by Nicky Henderson, Sunshade has won her bumper and two hurdles, but this looks her hardest task as she is set to take on another rising star in Maria's Benefit, who has Cheltenham pretensions.

Sunshade: winner of all three career startsCredit: Dan Abraham

Henderson said: "She's done nothing wrong in winning her races up to now and she's definitely earned a crack at Listed company.

"This will hopefully tell us how much higher she can go, if any, but they're respectable races she's been winning, and winning well, so we'd be hopeful she'll prove competitive."

The weather is the biggest concern for Maria's Benefit's trainer Stuart Edmunds, as he said: "I don't want to leave the rest of the season in the mud at Taunton, so I hope they don't get much more rain. If it is a bog we'd drive home.

"This race has always been the plan as she runs without a penalty having won three races, including two £20,000 handicaps. She's very speedy, is very well and the track will suit."

Gary Moore is another trainer worried about the ground for his contender All Currencies, who was a good third in another Listed mares' hurdle at Newbury.

"I hope the ground is okay – that's my only concern," said Moore. "Newbury was not a surprise. We have always liked her and she is improving."

If You Say Run's trainer Paul Nicholls is bidding to win the race for the third time in four years after Coillte Lass last year and Tara Point in 2014.

Weather forecast

While Taunton has escaped the snow and ice, it has experienced heavy rainfall which has turned the ground soft this week after a total of 38mm since last Friday.

Another band of rain is forecast overnight and clerk of the course Jason Loosemore said on Friday: "We didn't have 'heavy' in the ground all last season but might have to add it to the soft if the forecast is right."

Read exclusive previews from 6pm tonight on racingpost.com