August 27 / 17.05 Musselburgh

17.05

Good

Hutcheon Mearns Handicap

  • Prize money: £5234
  • 0m 5f 1y
  • Class 6
  • 9 runners
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Hutcheon Mearns Handicap

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

Form: 321302 D BF

Last run: 12 days

W: 9st 9lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 65

Form & Verdict
Has won once in each of the last four seasons, at Pontefract in June this time round; three creditable placings from his other four starts this summer, so he's still a contender.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

3

(4)

16th Sep 2025

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

15:33 Redcar

Match Play

9st 11lb

J: David Nolan

T: Paul Midgley

Mainly consistent form this term, winning at Pontefract in June (5f, good to firm) and finishing in the places twice since; best on fast ground; each-way chance.

15/2

1

(7)

27th Aug 2025

Good

0m 5f 1y

Class 6

17:05 Musselburgh

Match Play

9st 9lb

J: David Nolan

T: Paul Midgley

Has won once in each of the last four seasons, at Pontefract in June this time round; three creditable placings from his other four starts this summer, so he's still a contender.

6/1

2nd

3

(4)

15th Aug 2025

Good To Firm

0m 5f 42y

Class 5

15:25 Yarmouth

Match Play

9st 7lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: Paul Midgley

Finds his one race a year, which in 2024 was a C&D 0-70 off 3lb higher (good to firm) on his sole previous course visit; unable to race as prominently as preferred at York latest, and back in calmer waters here.

12/1

Form: -05359

Last run: 15 days

W: 9st 9lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 65

Form & Verdict
Sole win came on heavy going and he's tended to steer clear of firmer than good; backward steps on last two starts and this is only his second appearance over 5f, having run respectably in May on first occasion but he was only fifth of seven that day; others preferred.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

6

(10)

6th May 2026

Standard To Slow

0m 7f 0y

Class 6

20:30 Kempton (AW)

Orbital Chime

9st 5lb

J: Paddy Bradley

T: James Owen

Has been threatening for his current yard this spring but a couple of expensive defeats latterly; goes back to the visor from blinkers and, while capable off this mark, his strike-rate doesn't inspire.

5/1

6th

6

(4)

26th Apr 2026

Good

0m 6f 18y

Class 6

15:20 Nottingham

Orbital Chime

9st 4lb

J: Luke Morris

T: James Owen

Best effort for current stable when close second at Thirsk (7f) in most recent turf attempt; still nicely handicapped, having recorded both wins (6f) off higher marks; commands respect back down in distance.

100/30

6th

2

(1)

15th Apr 2026

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 6

19:30 Southwell (AW)

Orbital Chime

9st 9lb

J: Saffie Osborne

T: James Owen

Course winner over 6f in November when trained by Katie Scott; didn't quite get home when third at Wolverhampton (8.5f, AW) earlier in the month, and ran well when second of 14 at Thirsk (7f, good) five days ago; may be able to go one better.

9/2

OUR TIP

Form: 779613 D

Last run: 15 days

W: 9st 5lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 61

Form & Verdict
The return to 5f had a positive effect when she ran away with a handicap at Catterick (good) early this month; close third of six under a penalty at Hamilton one week later and she's another 2lb higher today, but the Catterick form gives her a fair shout.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

12

(10)

1st Jun 2026

Standard

0m 7f 36y

Class 6

18:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Happier

9st 4lb

J: Dougie Costello

T: Martin Keighley

Both handicap wins at 5f, on Southwell AW and turf; creditable yard debut at Lingfield (6f) in December but wasn't seen again after a lesser effort that month and, having only her second 7f run, others have less to prove.

33/1

2

(2)

28th Oct 2025

Soft

0m 5f 212y

Class 6

16:10 Catterick

Happier

9st 7lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

All three wins have come over 5f including here (good) in August; stays this far and handles soft ground but remains 4lb higher than for that latest success so a bit more is needed; stable also runs Canaria Queen.

11/2

2

(2)

28th Oct 2025

Soft

0m 5f 212y

Class 6

16:10 Catterick

Happier

9st 7lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

All three wins have come over 5f including here (good) in August; stays this far and handles soft ground but remains 4lb higher than for that latest success so a bit more is needed; stable also runs Canaria Queen.

11/2

Form: 122117 D

Last run: 9 days

W: 9st 3lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 59

Form & Verdict
Four wins since May, narrowly under Harry Smith when favourite in Class 6 on last two occasions; his very solid, three-month sequence ended with a lesser show at Catterick last week, however.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

(10)

5th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

14:50 Thirsk

Irish Dancer

9st 8lb

J: Harry Smith

T: Declan Carroll

Consistent this year (form figures 22731); picked off the weakening pacesetter to score at Catterick (5f, good; 2-1 favourite) latest; slightly more required from this 3lb higher mark but does have a C&D win to his name; shortlisted.

3/1

1st

1

(7)

11th May 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

16:00 Catterick

Irish Dancer

9st 9lb

J: Zak Wheatley

T: Declan Carroll

Four wins last year, starting with this race (good to firm), and he's been running well in the main on Southwell AW this spring; solid claims.

7/4

Form: 096832 D

Last run: 30 days

W: 9st 2lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 58

Form & Verdict
Won on turf last July/September; not so hot this season but he did return to some form to be placed on last two outings; needs to build on that.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

(12)

5th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

14:50 Thirsk

Zuffolo

9st 6lb

J: Rhys Elliott

T: Michael Dods

Won off this mark at Newcastle (5f; 7-1; first-time visor) last September but mostly disappointing since until chasing home Beerwah at Redcar (5f, good to firm; 16-1) five weeks ago; is 5lb better off with that rival here; one of two for trainer Michael Dods.

7/1

2nd

3

(3)

30th Apr 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

15:58 Redcar

Zuffolo

9st 7lb

J: Rhys Elliott

T: Michael Dods

Last season ended with two disappointing runs and there was no return to form on his recent reappearance; however, he may have needed that latest outing and this two-time C&D winner is back down to last September's last winning mark; not written off.

14/1

8th

9

(4)

13th Apr 2026

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

20:30 Newcastle (AW)

Zuffolo

8st 11lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Michael Dods

Made all in a first-time visor over C&D last September; ended 2025 quietly and although he is only 1lb higher than for his win, he returns from a break with a point to prove.

33/1

Form: 567612 CD

Last run: 18 days

W: 9st 1lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 57

Form & Verdict
Clocked up some notable displays in C&D handicaps last year; it was at Ayr that he's returned to form (first and second) on his last two outings this season but that puts him back into serious calculations.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

5

(4)

21st May 2026

Good

0m 5f 1y

Class 6

17:35 Musselburgh

Royal Duke

9st 4lb

J: Rhys Elliott

T: R Mike Smith

Two of his three wins have come over C&D and he is 2lb lower than for the latest of them; unplaced on his recent return from a six-month absence; can take a step forward today but others are still more appealing for win purposes.

12/1

7th

6

(5)

5th May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

14:30 Ayr

Royal Duke

9st 2lb

J: Rhys Elliott

T: R Mike Smith

C&D winner last July (good) and also won at Musselburgh last August; form tailed off towards the end of the season and now back on his last winning mark; lacks a recent run.

16/1

Form: 841141 D

Last run: 5 days

W: 9st 1lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 52

Form & Verdict
Bagged two 6f Ayr handicaps this summer and also obliged over 5f at Hamilton (good to firm) five days ago; has 5lb penalty and sharper track but she's an improved sprinter who looked capable of better still with her late bid last time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

(8)

4th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 6y

Class 5

14:51 Hamilton

Thunderstorm Katie

9st 1lb

J: Lauren Young

T: Jim Goldie

Two 5f wins last October (good/AW) and runner-up over that trip on last two starts (good/good to firm), finishing well each time and shaping as though this return to 6f is well worth exploring; could play a leading role if conditions suit; best turf efforts have come on good/good to firm.

11/2

2nd

8

(1)

20th May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

15:12 Ayr

Thunderstorm Katie

8st 13lb

J: Lauren Young

T: Jim Goldie

Dual course winner (6f) who also notched back-to-back victories at Musselburgh and Newcastle (both 5f) last October; ran her best race since - flashed home after fluffing the start - at Hamilton on Friday evening; sits 1lb lower, and also has the excellent Lauren Young claiming 5lb.

5/2

2nd

4

(3)

15th May 2026

Good

0m 5f 7y

Class 6

17:30 Hamilton

Thunderstorm Katie

9st 9lb

J: William Pyle

T: Jim Goldie

Scored five times, including over C&D, last year; made some late headway back here last time on return from break and may be back in top form with that outing under her belt.

10/1

Form: 336422 D

Last run: 12 days

W: 8st 6lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 48

Form & Verdict
No win away from Chelmsford since September 2021; agonisingly close at Newcastle (5f, AW) on penultimate start and bang there in a classified at Yarmouth (6f, good to firm) on latest, which needs respect, but this test might be a little too sharp.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

(11)

16th Sep 2025

Standard

0m 6f 20y

Class 6

18:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Araifjan

9st 1lb

J: Connor Planas

T: Michael Herrington

Dual winner here (6f/7f) in 2020; has gone close a couple of times lately, as when beaten a short head at Newcastle (5f, Tapeta) in July, but losing run up to 24; others look more solid.

12/1

10

(3)

27th Aug 2025

Good

0m 5f 1y

Class 6

17:05 Musselburgh

Araifjan

8st 6lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Michael Herrington

No win away from Chelmsford since September 2021; agonisingly close at Newcastle (5f, AW) on penultimate start and bang there in a classified at Yarmouth (6f, good to firm) on latest, which needs respect, but this test might be a little too sharp.

7/1

3

(6)

15th Aug 2025

Good To Firm

0m 6f 3y

Class 6

14:50 Yarmouth

Araifjan

9st 9lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: Michael Herrington

Winless away from Chelmsford since September 2021's 5f success here, though came agonisingly close to putting that right in a Newcastle 0-55 handicap latest; replication of the form of June's C&D third (good to firm) won't quite suffice, and there's likely competition for the lead also.

5/1

Form: 758187 D

Last run: 32 days

W: 8st 5lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 47

Form & Verdict
Veteran who ended a long losing run when making all at Beverley (5f, good) in May; did not repeat the form in his two subsequent outings, also under Shay Farmer, and does not seem the percentage call.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11

(8)

27th Aug 2025

Good

0m 5f 1y

Class 6

17:05 Musselburgh

Blackcurrent

8st 5lb

J: Shay Farmer

T: Alan Brown

Veteran who ended a long losing run when making all at Beverley (5f, good) in May; did not repeat the form in his two subsequent outings, also under Shay Farmer, and does not seem the percentage call.

16/1

9

(3)

26th Jul 2025

Standard To Slow

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

16:15 Newcastle (AW)

Blackcurrent

9st 2lb

J: Shay Farmer

T: Alan Brown

Ended a long losing run when making all on a rare turf outing at Beverley (5f, good) in May but he dropped out on his return visit on Monday; the soft ground may have dulled his powers but he's not easy to predict and others are more solid; change of headgear.

16/1

Non-runners

Golden Rainbow, Pockley

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £42.50
Straight Forecast £40.19
Tricast £418.85
Trifecta £406.30

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Thunderstorm Katie

The Guardian:

Royal Duke

Daily Mirror:

Happier

POSTDATA:

Zuffolo

RP RATINGS:

Golden Rainbow

The Sun:

Araifjan

The Times:

Thunderstorm Katie

Telegraph:

Thunderstorm Katie

Daily Mail:

Thunderstorm Katie

D Express:

Thunderstorm Katie

The Star:

Thunderstorm Katie

Daily Record:

Thunderstorm Katie