Hi All,

Firstly, to Dave (Oakley), sorry mate, I'd love to be reporting that Muffin equalled his fifth place of last year, but I'm afraid you've been reading the old report.

I'll try to make this as painless as possible!!!

We had a teriffic journey to Ascot, no roadworks, accidents or breakdowns to contend with, and were all feeling quietly optimistic that Muffin might replicate his performance of last year.

When we arrived, we made our way to the now familiar owners and trainers bar, where we found Kath, Simon, Russ and Kara already settled in and studying the form for the day. Joan, who most of you will know works for the Tote, had managed to secure her position behind the desk in the O/T bar, which was great as it meant she was also with us all day.

Steadily, the other members and their guests, Dianne & Paul, Debs & Steve, Marc and Dave & Denise, who had also brought a couple of guests, who Dave tells me may be potential future members, joined us. Although Julie Mead and her husband were on the list, unfortunately we didn't get to meet them, so if you were there Julie, sorry, perhaps we'll catch up at another meeting.

Everyone seemed hopeful that Muffin could do well, especially as two horses were withdrawn, one of whom was the favourite. Now he only had to beat 26 home!!!

After the first two races had gone through, and we had watched our Boy in the pre-parade ring, it was finally time for the off, and we made our way nervously, excitedly, optimistically even, to the parade ring, where we soaked up the atmosphere of what is a truly spectacular venue.

Whilst we gathered together for pre-race photographs, the Jockeys arrived and tried to identify their connections, we sent Tim to fetch poor little Louis Phillippe Beuzelin, who seemed to be lost in the throng. Most of us were amazed at how young he looked, but that was probably because we are so used to our regular 'old timer', Mr. Sweeney (sorry Fergus). There was just enough time for Tim Kittow, (who replaced his Mum and Dad, as they were watching middle son, Simon, playing rugby at Twickenham - they won 8-7, by the way), to give instruction to Louis Phillippe, which was to try to get a good start, and latch on to one or two of the front runners.

Muffin was his usual boisterous self in the parade ring and put on a display of fancy footwork that would rival that of Michael Flattley, but the fun didn't really start until Louis Phillipe was aboard, then our boy really went for it, and ended up virtually trotting backwards into the groups of startled connections in the middle of the parade ring. At first we merely turned our heads and tried to pretend that this unruly boy was nothing to do with us, but when he made a second surge in our direction we ran like hell - how dignified we must have looked!!!

We watched in awe as this tiny little man struggled to stay on board, but eventually Muffin settled down and made his way down to the stalls, with, as far as we could tell, little drama.

Obviously given the number of runners it took a while before all horses were settle in the stalls, but finally they were off. From our position opposite a not completely clear screen, it looked as if he got off to a good start, and when the pack divided into three, he appeared to go with the rail side group, but was switched fairly quickly to the middle group and appeared to be leading this group with another horse up toward the 2f marker, but as the race progressed he didn't seem to pick up and gradually went back through the pack, finally finishing fourth last or there abouts, but was not being hard ridden.

Upon their return, Louis Phillippe said that when he got him to the middle group, there was little or no pace which did not suit Muffin's style of running, and as it was apparent that Muffin was not going to be in contention, he did not feel it was prudent to push him too hard.

Tim Kittow and Anthony, from Stuart's team told us that Muffin had not been as settled as usual travelling and was quite uncharacteristically hot and bothered followng the journey, which together with his pre-race performance in the parade ring, could have impaired his stamina for the race itself.

We made our way back to the bar to discuss events and were obviously disappointed, but glad to see that he had come out of the race unharmed.

I hope I haven't forgotten anything, but other attending member, please feel free to correct me if I have.

Thanks Jackie