Hi all.

We had not talked about who was to write the race report so I will. I hope that’s ok with you Kath but feel free to add anything.

After a clear trip up from Worcestershire with our friends we collected our passes and the 4 buffet lunch vouchers of which 2 were for Kath and Bill for when they arrived. We made our way over to ‘The Pavilion’ for our 4 course lunch with the yummiest cheese board! Our friends wandered off to experience some pork bap fine dining; do I feel guilty or what! For those who’ve not been ‘The Pavilion’ is situated next to the pre-parade ring so you had a good view of the horses as you ate lunch.

Kath and Bill arrived at around 2pm and had a late lunch in ‘The Pavilion’ albeit the tail end said Bill. He should have seen it at 12 a banquet fit for a king or two! Chester has a couple of great viewing areas for owners and the atmosphere was great all around the course especially for the men in our party. Steve and Dave are still recovering from all the stilettos they could feast their eyes on!

It was now time for Muffins race and we wandered over to the pre-parade where Liam, our stable lad, was leading Muffin around who was looking very relaxed; Muffin not Liam. I asked Liam how long the journey took (4 hours) Ray disagreed and said “how would he know as he was asleep most of the way! More like 5 hours”. Muffin travelled in style in Rays 7 horse lorry fit for a king and a good journey was had. Our friends commented that Muffin looked asleep walking around the pre-parade, “wait until he’s saddled up and in the parade ring” I said “then you will see a different horse”. He didn’t disappoint, up to his tricks of sideways backwards attention seeking! We met Liam, the jockey, who listened to Rays instructions, ‘Give him a little cover but keep him close to hand if he could’.

4:25 came and they were off Muffin broke well enough and the front 3 or 4 went off a blistering pace and Liam was rousting Muffin along to try and tag onto the tail of the leaders but could not quite get there. Into the straight and Muffin unfortunately had nothing left in the locker and no turn of foot. The winner whose name I have forgotten but was 20/1 came from well off the pace. I have not forgotten the jockeys’ name though ‘Catherine Gannon’!!!

We did not get to see Muffin and Jockey after race (sorry) but Ray gave us a post race account of what Liam had said. He said that the pace was so quick and that he just could not keep up (I personally don’t think he should have tried to but it’s easy to say I guess when watching). Ray did say that he thinks the handicapper has him at the moment and that he was still plenty high enough in the weights. The winner if I recall was carrying 8st 5, 7 lbs lower than our boy. Still we all had a great day and Muffin will fight another day so please Mr Handicapper give our ‘Warrior Muffin’ a break!

Great to see both Kath and Bill again.

See you all next time.

Debs