August 27 / 17.05 Musselburgh

17.05

Good

Hutcheon Mearns Handicap

  • Prize money: £5234
  • 0m 5f 1y
  • Class 6
  • 9 runners
RTV
View Course
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

10th

8

(6)

9th Jul 2026

Good

0m 5f 182y

Class 6

15:45 Carlisle

Orbital Chime

9st 8lb

J: Lewis Edmunds

T: Helen Cuthbert

Ended his time with James Owen with a couple of lesser efforts and he could only manage a midfield finish here (7f, soft) on last month's stable debut; dropping down the weights but others are stronger.

20/1

6th

3

(9)

8th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

0m 6f 195y

Class 6

17:28 Carlisle

Orbital Chime

9st 8lb

J: Lauren Young

T: Helen Cuthbert

Poor strike-rate; eventually lost his form during spring spell with James Owen and was sold for 2,200gns since last run; best watched unless the market suggests a revival is likely.

16/1

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

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

4th

9

(4)

31st Aug 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

16:10 Ripon

Happier

9st 0lb

J: Harry Vigors

T: Martin Keighley

Turned things around with a win at Wolverhampton last month and she followed up in a Ffos Las handicap (5f, good); couldn't quite get the job done in her hat-trick bid at Lingfield (6f, AW), but that was another big run and she's only 1lb higher on this drop back in trip; shortlisted.

11/2

2nd

3

(5)

18th Aug 2026

Standard

0m 6f 1y

Class 6

17:52 Lingfield (AW)

Happier

9st 9lb

J: Toby Moore

T: Martin Keighley

Returned to winning form in a 0-50 classified event at Wolverhampton (5f, Tapeta) last month and followed up in a 0-65 handicap at Ffos Las (5f, good) six days ago; has a 5lb penalty to carry, but still respected in her current mood and the return to this trip is no problem.

7/2

1st

7

(5)

12th Aug 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

16:07 Ffos Las

Happier

9st 4lb

J: Jack Doughty

T: Martin Keighley

Came good for current stable at seventh attempt, with emphatic 5f AW win 12 days ago; will be fine back on turf and recent 5lb rise ought to be manageable; respected.

4/1

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

7th

10

(5)

17th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

16:15 Catterick

Irish Dancer

9st 0lb

J: Zak Wheatley

T: Declan Carroll

Strong favourite when winning over C&D (good ground) in May; only 1lb higher today but that win came in a 0-55 and this is more demanding; others look stronger

7/1

3rd

4

(7)

24th Jul 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

17:27 Thirsk

Irish Dancer

9st 10lb

J: Hope Regan

T: Declan Carroll

Well below form at Catterick last week but he had a near-miss over C&D (good) last month and he made all when winning this race last year; has claims if he can bounce back again and he's in the mix.

8/1

8th

7

(8)

15th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

16:40 Catterick

Irish Dancer

9st 9lb

J: Zak Wheatley

T: Declan Carroll

Gained his fifth success when seeing off ten rivals over C&D (good) in May; only narrowly denied another at Thirsk (5f, good) last month but below par when 3l third of five at Nottingham latest.

10/1

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

3rd

6

(1)

25th Aug 2026

Good

0m 5f 1y

Class 6

16:45 Musselburgh

Zuffolo

9st 1lb

J: Rhys Elliott

T: Michael Dods

Back on song when third at Catterick (5f, good to firm) last month and he built on that to win at Ripon (5f, good to firm); he's gone up just 2lb for last time and could be a contender once more.

7/2

1st

2

(6)

27th Jul 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

20:40 Ripon

Zuffolo

9st 9lb

J: Rhys Elliott

T: Michael Dods

Has won six races and didn't shape too badly when third of nine at Catterick (5f, good to firm) 12 days ago; not out of this.

4/1

3rd

8

(1)

15th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

16:40 Catterick

Zuffolo

9st 5lb

J: Rhys Elliott

T: Michael Dods

Back on track with second at Redcar (5f) in April but has finished down the field twice since; bounce back needed.

16/1

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

1st

14

(4)

27th Aug 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

16:00 Carlisle

Royal Duke

8st 9lb

J: Rhys Elliott

T: R Mike Smith

Scottish sprinter who rarely dips his toe over the border; scored at Ayr and Musselburgh last term but hasn't matched that this year, including when seventh of ten at Musselburgh on Monday; tries a new headgear combination.

16/1

7th

7

(1)

24th Aug 2026

Good To Soft

0m 5f 1y

Class 6

16:15 Musselburgh

Royal Duke

9st 0lb

J: Rhys Elliott

T: R Mike Smith

Two of his three wins have been over C&D but losing run is mounting up; first-time tongue-tie could do with having a positive effect.

10/1

11th

12

(3)

8th Aug 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

18:00 Ayr

Royal Duke

8st 9lb

J: Shay Farmer

T: R Mike Smith

C&D winner; yet to strike in 2026 but he has slipped down the weights and his latest C&D fifth was encouraging, just beginning to launch a challenge when forced to switch; each-way shout.

14/1

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

6th

5

(3)

2nd Sep 2026

Soft

0m 6f 6y

Class 5

18:50 Hamilton

Thunderstorm Katie

9st 7lb

J: Lauren Young

T: Jim Goldie

She wasn't winning out of turn when successful at Ayr (6f, good) 25 days ago; fully effective at Hamilton and seems to handle soft ground so she's respected, for all she hasn't been missed with a 7lb rise for last time.

6/1

1st

5

(13)

8th Aug 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

19:30 Ayr

Thunderstorm Katie

9st 10lb

J: Lauren Young

T: Jim Goldie

All five wins between July and October last year, at 6f and 5f, including this race (good); runner-up four times this year and her latest Hamilton run can be consigned to history as she'd run the day before; respected, although serious rain wouldn't be ideal.

8/1

9th

10

(2)

1st Aug 2026

Good

0m 5f 7y

Class 5

20:00 Hamilton

Thunderstorm Katie

8st 9lb

J: Lauren Young

T: Jim Goldie

One of five wins in the second half of last season was over C&D in August; four seconds (including over 5f/6f here) from the back in her last five starts this term, back to form at Musselburgh last night; each-way claims.

7/1

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