Here is my ‘virgin’ race report so here goes:

A sunny day at Lingfield got the guild attendees into good spirits from the ‘off’ and a few early winners/exactas also helped! Our lucky omen, Tim, arrived with Stuart and we all hoped this would bode well as Tim led Muffin out when winning at Wolverhampton last year!

Muffin looked really well in the parade ring and for the first few circuits, was a lot more settled than last time out at Folkestone (said Stuart, Mr K and others).

I think Muffin got a little star-struck though when Frankie walked out into the ring as he got a little more excited but Fergus (the jockey) and Tim managed to calm him down!

Stuart’s instructions to Fergus in the ring were – not ideal draw, get out of the stalls quickly (which he usually does) to get in a decent position and hopefully be in the lead or thereabouts by the straight to come home in front! And with that, he was off down to the start! They all went into the stalls without any trouble and with us all in prime position in the stands to cheer Muffin on, they were off! (Even Helen Chamberlain from Sky Sports couldn’t distract the boys from the race – although I had to admit she did need her roots doing!!!)

Muffin came out of the stalls spritely (as expected) and was up with the front 3 or 4 from the start – unfortunately though he was still out wide and couldn’t get towards the rail. By the time they rounded the corner and entered the straight, Muffin was still up there in the top four and was pushing on but still being wide was a definite disadvantage. Coming into the final 3 furlongs, a couple of the others started to pull away but Muffin was giving it his best shot in third and managed to hold on on the line for us all to get into the winners enclosure – and Frankie was nowhere to be seen!!

Both Stuart and Fergus were happy with his run but both agreed that the draw definitely had not helped him. Fergus said Muffin didn’t like being led, felt he had done as much as he could have done and for the next race, would suit either 6 or 7 furlongs!

So all in all, fellow guild members, a very good day with another third place for Muffin and Stuart and some prize money to add to the pot!

A huge thank you to Stuart and Tim again for a job well done – and hope they and Muffin have a safe journey home tonight!

That's it folks!

Mrs K signing off, over and out!