This response works through all Musselburgh races in chronological order, identifying the TimeWise Master Top Two rated runners, summarising their recent form and comments, providing the Spotlight Verdict and Race Statistics, and assessing the chances of the top two contenders.
Musselburgh Race Analysis (Chronological Order)
1. 12:53 Happy 70th Birthday John Grossick Handicap (Class 6)
| Rank | Horse | Trainer | Jockey |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Thunderstorm Katie | J Goldie | Paul Mulrennan |
| 2 | Wen Moon (IRE) | B M R Haslam | Jason Hart |
Based on Total TimeWise Rating Rank.
Recent Form and Comments
- Thunderstorm Katie: She has won five times since having a wind operation in June. Her last win was at Newcastle (5f, AW) nine days ago. She returns to turf under a 5lb penalty.
- Wen Moon (IRE): The last of his three wins came at York (5f, soft) in October 2023. His best effort this year was finishing fourth over this course and distance (C&D) in May off a mark 14lb higher than today. He is respected on his first attempt in a Class 6 race.
Spotlight Verdict
Wen Moon is narrowly preferred, especially if there is some ease underfoot, as he was fourth over C&D off a 14lb higher mark in May and now drops into Class 6 company for the first time. Thunderstorm Katie (second choice) may be able to confirm last month’s C&D placings with Sir Benedict but runs under a penalty for her recent Newcastle success.
Race Statistics
| Statistic | Details |
|---|---|
| Age Groups (Previous Winners) | 3yo 1-1-5, 4yo+ 0-1-4. |
| Fate of Favourites | Not explicitly provided in the sources for this race. |
| Trainer Records (w-pl-r) | Iain Jardine 1-0-1, Linda Perratt 0-1-1, R Mike Smith 0-1-1. |
Assessment of the Top Two
- Thunderstorm Katie:
- Strengths: Highly in-form with five wins this year, including recently on the AW. She represents J Goldie, whose runners have run to form 53% in the last 14 days.
- Weaknesses/Suitability: Must contend with a 5lb penalty and is back on turf.
- Wen Moon (IRE):
- Strengths: Appears well-treated by the handicapper, running off a 14lb lower mark than when placing well over C&D in May. Drops into the lowest class (Class 6) for the first time. Any rain would enhance his chances.
- Weaknesses/Suitability: Last win was over a year ago.
2. 1:23 EBF Restricted Maiden Stakes (Bands C And D) (Class 2)
| Rank | Horse | Trainer | Jockey |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Blakefell (IRE) | I Furtado | Greg Fairley |
| 2 | Henriette Ronner | W J Haggas | Joanna Mason |
Based on Total TimeWise Rating Rank.
Recent Form and Comments
- Blakefell (IRE): He was beaten 6l when sixth at Chelmsford (7f, AW) on debut and was subsequently ninth of 26 at Newmarket (7f, good) 32 days ago. He was unlucky not to finish closer in a sales race at Doncaster previously. He may be more competitive back in a maiden. His RP Rating is 84.
- Henriette Ronner: She is a 24,000gns yearling. On her debut two weeks ago, she unseated her rider in the parade ring before finishing fifth of 11 at Newmarket (7f, good; beaten 11l). The trainer’s yard, W J Haggas, has a 75% run-to-form rate in the last 14 days. Better is needed from her.
Spotlight Verdict
Eagle Bay shaped promisingly on his debut and he is selected to get off the mark. Market support should be noted for Silky Lass (second choice) on her debut and Blakefell may be able to get more competitive having contested warm sales races on his last two starts.
Race Statistics
| Statistic | Details |
|---|---|
| Age Groups | Not explicitly provided in the sources for this race. |
| Fate of Favourites (Previous Races) | 22. |
| Trainer Records (w-pl-r) | Gay Kelleway 0-1-1, Michael & David Easterby 0-1-1. |
Assessment of the Top Two
- Blakefell (IRE):
- Strengths: Holds good form credentials from contesting competitive sales races. His RP Rating (84) is competitive.
- Weaknesses/Suitability: Has yet to win.
- Henriette Ronner:
- Strengths: Represents W J Haggas, a leading stable. Likely to improve given the nature of her debut (unseated rider in the parade ring).
- Weaknesses/Suitability: Needs a significant step up in form after being beaten by 11l on her sole completed start.
3. 1:53 Close Brothers Energy Finance Handicap (Class 5)
| Rank | Horse | Trainer | Jockey |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dwindling Funds | J S Goldie | Paul Mulrennan |
| 2 | Yermanthere (IRE) | T D Easterby | Oisin McSweeney |
Based on Total TimeWise Rating Rank.
Recent Form and Comments
- Dwindling Funds: He has won six times this year (7f to 1m2f), most recently at Ayr (7f, heavy) last month. He was beaten 6l when sixth of 15 at Doncaster (7f, heavy) 11 days ago off this same mark. He now drops down in grade and returns to 1m. He may be able to get back to winning ways.
- Yermanthere (IRE): His last of three wins came at Carlisle (7f, good) last August. He has produced some good efforts this year, including when runner-up at Carlisle in June off a mark 5lb higher than today. He holds each-way claims.
Spotlight Verdict
The drop back in grade may be able to help Dwindling Funds get back to winning ways following a respectable effort at Doncaster last time. Double Time (second choice) is respected off a mark 5lb higher than when winning at Kempton last time.
Race Statistics
| Statistic | Details |
|---|---|
| Age Groups (Previous Winners) | 4yo+ 1-2-8. (Note: This refers to previous winners/runners, not the current field). |
| Fate of Favourites | Not explicitly provided in the sources for this race. |
| Trainer Records | Not explicitly provided in the sources for this race. |
Assessment of the Top Two
- Dwindling Funds:
- Strengths: Highly effective this year with six wins. Drops in class, which could trigger a return to winning form.
- Weaknesses/Suitability: Ran below par 11 days ago (sixth).
- Yermanthere (IRE):
- Strengths: Well-treated based on his runner-up finish earlier this year off a 5lb higher mark. High master RP Rating of 90.
- Weaknesses/Suitability: Last success was over a year ago. T Easterby has a low 33% run-to-form rate in the last 14 days.
4. 2:25 Balfour Beatty Power Handicap (Class 5)
| Rank | Horse | Trainer | Jockey |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sure And Stedfast (IRE) | Ewan Whillans | Joanna Mason |
| 2 | Velvet Whisper (IRE) | Ed Bethell | Archie Young (5) |
Based on Total TimeWise Rating Rank.
Recent Form and Comments
- Sure And Stedfast (IRE): Won narrowly at Ayr (1m2f, good) in July and Carlisle (1m1f, good) in September. Was subsequently well beaten in a higher grade at Nottingham (1m2f, good to soft) 34 days ago.
- Velvet Whisper (IRE): Got off the mark under a front-running ride at Nottingham (1m2f, heavy) 13 days ago. Before that, she was beaten a neck at Redcar (1m2f, good to soft) last month. She steps up in trip off a 4lb higher mark.
Spotlight Verdict
Sayidah New Bay shaped encouragingly on her handicap debut at Killarney and could be suited by this longer trip. Velvet Whisper (second choice) could have more to offer and holds claims off a mark 4lb higher than when winning on heavy ground at Nottingham.
Race Statistics
| Statistic | Details |
|---|---|
| Age Groups (Previous Winners) | 3yo 0-0-2, 4yo+ 1-2-6. (Note: This refers to previous winners/runners, not the current field). |
| Fate of Favourites | Not explicitly provided in the sources for this race. |
| Trainer Records (w-pl-r) | Jim Goldie 0-1-1, R Mike Smith 0-1-1. |
Assessment of the Top Two
- Sure And Stedfast (IRE):
- Strengths: Dual winner in late summer/early autumn.
- Weaknesses/Suitability: Was well beaten on his most recent outing. The 1m4½f trip is an unknown distance for him.
- Velvet Whisper (IRE):
- Strengths: Recent winning form, handles heavy ground. Still potentially progressive.
- Weaknesses/Suitability: Carries a 4lb penalty and takes a step up in distance.
5. 2:55 Musselburgh Annual Membership 2026 Handicap (Class 6)
| Rank | Horse | Trainer | Jockey |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Blufferonthebus (IRE) | C Lidster | Pierre-Louis Jamin |
| 2 | Jkr Cobbler (IRE) | I Jardine | Archie Young (5) |
Based on Total TimeWise Rating Rank.
Recent Form and Comments
- Blufferonthebus (IRE): Her 4-34 tally includes a win in June, but she has shown only one echo of that form in her subsequent five races. Her latest master RP Rating is 78.
- Jkr Cobbler (IRE): Achieved his first win of the year at Ayr (7f) in September. Since then, he has been comfortably held in third twice. He is running off a 4lb higher mark.
Spotlight Verdict
This looks tricky, with more negatives than positives, but maybe Monhammer’s turn has come round again. He has been knocking on the door, including when Carolus Magnus got the better of him over C&D last month. Emerald Army (second choice) is among the others to consider.
Race Statistics
| Statistic | Details |
|---|---|
| Age Groups (Previous Winners) | 3yo 1-1-3, 4yo+ 0-1-9. (Note: This refers to previous winners/runners, not the current field). |
| Fate of Favourites | Not explicitly provided in the sources for this race. |
| Trainer Records (w-pl-r) | Tim Easterby 0-1-1. |
Assessment of the Top Two
- Blufferonthebus (IRE):
- Strengths: Has won this year. High Topspeed (71).
- Weaknesses/Suitability: Highly inconsistent form since June.
- Jkr Cobbler (IRE):
- Strengths: Recent win, retains the services of the winning rider.
- Weaknesses/Suitability: Recent third-place finishes suggest others have the edge. The spotlight favours other runners in this tricky race.
6. 3:28 Thank You And Good Luck Persia Handicap (Class 3)
| Rank | Horse | Trainer | Jockey |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Glenfinnan (IRE) | M Dods | Paul Mulrennan |
| 2 | Mudamer (IRE) | G A Harker | Oisin McSweeney |
Based on Total TimeWise Rating Rank.
Recent Form and Comments
- Glenfinnan (IRE): Finished runner-up at Leopardstown (7f, good to yielding) in September, followed by a solid fourth at Newbury (7f, soft) 12 days ago. Cheekpieces are back on (worn once before, below form). He looks capable of going well.
- Mudamer (IRE): Has been a front-runner on his last two starts, resulting in 7f wins at Catterick (soft/good) which ended a long losing run. He is in fine form but is up another 6lb and steps up in grade.
Spotlight Verdict
Gweedore is now 10lb below his last winning mark and returns to the scene of his two best efforts this year, so he is preferred ahead of U Sure Do (second choice) and Glenfinnan. Mudamer is in fine form and cannot be dismissed following two wins at Catterick.
Race Statistics
| Statistic | Details |
|---|---|
| Age Groups | Not explicitly provided in the sources for this race. |
| Fate of Favourites | Not explicitly provided in the sources for this race. |
| Trainer Records | Not explicitly provided in the sources for this race. |
Assessment of the Top Two
- Glenfinnan (IRE):
- Strengths: Consistently running well recently (2nd and 4th). RP Rating (96) is high.
- Weaknesses/Suitability: Cheekpieces previously resulted in below-form running. The spotlight prefers Gweedore who is running off a much-reduced mark.
- Mudamer (IRE):
- Strengths: Highly progressive, winning his last two starts on soft/good ground. High Master RP Rating (98).
- Weaknesses/Suitability: Must handle a 6lb rise and is stepping up in class (Class 3).
7. 4:03 Join Racing TV Now Handicap (Class 6)
| Rank | Horse | Trainer | Jockey |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aighear | J S Goldie | Amie Waugh (3) |
| 2 | Spooky Wooky (IRE) | S G West | Andrew Elliott |
Based on Total TimeWise Rating Rank.
Recent Form and Comments
- Aighear: Ended a long losing run with two wins in the mud at Ayr (1m7f/1m5f) in September. She almost completed a hat-trick, finishing only half a length off the winner at Newbury (2m, soft) 12 days ago. She is edging back up the weights and is in career-best form.
- Spooky Wooky (IRE): This five-race maiden’s best results were placing in handicaps on his last two starts. The first two horses he finished behind last time have both won since. He is a major player off an unchanged mark and carries the chance of further progress.
Spotlight Verdict
The lightly raced and well-related Spooky Wooky (nap) seems to have found his niche as a stayer recently, on soft and good going, and he can take another step forward to get off the mark. Aighear‘s spectacular revival in recent weeks has been on soft or heavy ground, and she would look a sensible starting point for calculations if she gets that ground again.
Race Statistics
| Statistic | Details |
|---|---|
| Age Groups (Previous Winners) | 3yo 1-1-3, 4yo+ 0-1-5. (Note: This refers to previous winners/runners, not the current field). |
| Fate of Favourites | Not explicitly provided in the sources for this race. |
| Trainer Records (w-pl-r) | Ben Haslam 0-1-1. |
Assessment of the Top Two
- Aighear:
- Strengths: In career-best form (two wins, close second recently). Highly suitable for soft/heavy conditions.
- Weaknesses/Suitability: Edging up the weights. Might require major rainfall to be seen at her best.
- Spooky Wooky (IRE):
- Strengths: Highly regarded by the spotlight (nap). Unexposed and improving stayer, with good recent collateral form. Runs off an unchanged mark despite two promising results.
- Weaknesses/Suitability: Still searching for his first win (maiden).
TimeWise Chronicles 
Leave a comment