RACE DESCRIPTIONS

2:30 THE SUPPORT MUSSELBURGH ATHLETIC FC CLASSIFIED STAKES

This race is a one mile and four furlongs classified stakes for three-year-olds and upwards which have been rated from 0 to 50 Unlike in a handicap when a horses rating reflects the weight that they will carry, the weights in this type of race are decided solely on the basis of age or sex This means that the higher rated horses should, theoretically, hold an advantage, as they are not forced to concede weight to lower rated rival

3:05 THE BRITISH STALLION STUDS EBF RESTRICTED MAIDEN STAKES

This seven furlongs contest for three-years-old and upwards is another maiden stakes - a race for horses that have yet to record a racecourse victory. There are a variety of reasons why the older horses in this race could still be maidens Stoutly bred horses are unlikely to be seen at their best over the shorter distances of their juvenile season whilst a setback or injury can curtail even the most precociously bred horse’s two-year-old career

3:40 THE MUSSELBURGH WINDSOR FC CELEBRATING 70 YEARS HANDICAP STAKES

This is a seven furlongs handicap race for three-year-olds and upwards which have been rated from 56 to 75 In a handicap the weight that each of the runners carries is determined by their official handicap rating which is based on their level of form shown so far The aim is to ensure competitive racing by asking the higher rated horses to carry more weight than a lower rated rival. As a guide, horses rated 40 tend to be at the lower end of the scale whilst the very best performers would be rated as high as 130.

4:15 THE CELEBRATING MUSSELBURGH FESTIVAL 2023 NURSERY HANDICAP STAKES

A nursery is a handicap that is restricted to two-year-olds only In order to be allowed to take part, entrants must have already run in three maiden or novice races, or have won two races, which then qualifies them for an official handicap rating based on what they have achieved so far. Quite simply, the higher their rating, the bigger the weight they have to carry. This particular five furlongs race is for horses which have been rated from 0 to 70

4:50 THE EAST COAST HARBOUR HANDICAP STAKES

This is a five furlongs handicap race for three-year-olds and upwards which have been rated from 56 to 75 To qualify for a handicap rating horses must have run at least three times in a Flat race in Britain, or have run in no more than two Flat races run in Britain and won at least one of them. This rating then dictates the weight to be carried in a handicap In simple terms a horse rated 75 in this particular race would be required to carry 5lb more than a rival rated 70

5:20 THE EAST LOTHIAN FOODBANK END HUNGER NOW 'HAND AND HEELS' APPRENTICE HANDICAP STAKES

This is a one mile and one furlong handicap race for three-year-olds only which have been rated from 46 to 60 Once a horse has qualified for a handicap rating this is regularly reassessed A below-par effort could result in a reduced rating whilst a strong performance could see the rating increased. Occasionally, horses are entered to race before their handicap rating has been reviewed and so to avoid recent winners being un-penalised they are allotted a mandatory penalty usually 6lb.