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

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

9th

8

(11)

29th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 21y

Class 6

19:30 Windsor

Happier

9st 4lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: Martin Keighley

3-31 for Tim Easterby, including a Catterick win (5f, good) last August; second at Lingfield (6f, AW) on stable debut in December but not so good in her three runs since, so others have more pressing claims; some headgear (not used by current yard) returns.

9/1

4th

2

(7)

15th Jun 2026

Good

0m 5f 110y

Class 6

16:15 Wetherby

Happier

9st 8lb

J: Sam James

T: Martin Keighley

Ex-Tim Easterby; Catterick winner last August (5f, good) and good second at Lingfield on stable debut (6f) in December; last two runs have been a bit disappointing.

16/1

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

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

3rd

4

(2)

25th Jun 2026

Good

0m 5f 8y

Class 6

13:00 Nottingham

Irish Dancer

9st 9lb

J: Zak Wheatley

T: Declan Carroll

Gained his fifth success when winning at Catterick (5f, good) last month off a 2lb lower mark than today's and he was narrowly denied at Thirsk (5f, good) nine days ago, bouncing back from a lesser effort; contender.

15/8

2nd

10

(2)

16th Jun 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

17:20 Thirsk

Irish Dancer

9st 2lb

J: Harry Smith

T: Declan Carroll

Resumed winning ways at Catterick (5f) in May but he was well below par when eighth of 12 over C&D 11 days ago; this C&D scorer is the sort to bounce back though; blinkers refitted.

16/1

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

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

8th

1

(5)

22nd Jun 2026

Good

0m 5f 1y

Class 6

16:15 Musselburgh

Zuffolo

9st 9lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Michael Dods

Fair 5f scorer who got back on track with second at Redcar (5f) in April; not best drawn when tenth in 5f Thirsk handicap since and remains one to be interested in off a 2lb lower mark.

9/2

10th

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

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

6

(1)

20th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

14:30 Ayr

Royal Duke

8st 13lb

J: Rhys Elliott

T: R Mike Smith

Three 5f wins to his name, one of them at this track, but unplaced in six runs over 6f+; finished behind stablemate Whiskey Kisses over C&D last week; new cheekpieces not enough to tempt.

10/1

5th

7

(1)

13th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

15:00 Ayr

Royal Duke

9st 1lb

J: Rhys Elliott

T: R Mike Smith

All three wins have been over 5f on good ground, latest at Musselburgh last August; hasn't been in top form this term, best run when third at Musselburgh in June (5f); bit to prove, including his stamina.

25/1

7th

7

(8)

6th Jul 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

17:00 Ayr

Royal Duke

9st 3lb

J: Aiden Brookes

T: R Mike Smith

All three wins at 5f on good ground; not quite nailing it this year and it's up in the air as to whether this is his trip, having been well held in sole previous attempt, over C&D in April 2025.

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

3

(4)

11th Jul 2026

Good

0m 5f 7y

Class 6

17:40 Hamilton

Thunderstorm Katie

10st 0lb

J: Rhys Elliott

T: Jim Goldie

Scored five times (including over C&D) in 2025; in very good nick lately too, second for the third consecutive start in 6f handicap here last month; a likely player once more off an unchanged mark.

5/1

2nd

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

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