Good Morning Everyone,

Tim and I made our way from rainy Essex, through an even wetter Kent along the good old M25 for our day out at a bright and sunny Goodwood.

When we arrived we made our way to the beautiful Owners and Trainers Pavilion where we met Debs, Steve and Russ, and were buoyed up by the news that there were 7 non runners for Muffin's 4.30 race, and the fact that the ground had officially gone to soft, a fact which obviously pleased Stuart when he arrived with Judy, Tim and Neil, to say their hello's. It seemed that everything was going in our Boy\'s favour, and I think we all felt he was in with a chance in what was obviously a toughie, as he was also on joint bottom weight at 8st. 7lb.

After sitting and enjoying the view of the parade ring whilst downing a few pimms (for the girls), and a couple of shandy's for the boys (they were all driving), it was finally time for our race. The boys made their way to the pre-parade ring whilst I was persuaded to join Debs in her quest to speak to Nick Luck who was poised with a cameraman close by, but unfortunately we were unable to get on camera to promote Muffin and the Guild, although Debs did manage to ask Nick Luck's companion what he thought of our Boy's chances, to which he replied that he should do well.

Debs and I then made our way to the pre-parade ring to watch Muffin (who looked absolutely superb, as usual), and his competitors circling before the official parade.

Once we were in the parade ring, eagle eyed Debs found a focus point for the boys when she noticed two young ladies who were unwittingly flashing their underwear from their seated positions alongside. Needles to say, attention was then divided between them and Muffin who had now arrived in the ring, led by Kathy. We were soon joined by Stuart, Judy and Neil, and watched as Muffin strolled majestically around, meeting and greeting his public as usual. When Travis Block joined us, there was just enough time for Stuart to instruct him to ride positively and get him up with the pace early on.

As we made our way from the Parade Ring to the O/T viewing area, we were joined by a potential new member, Duncan Finch and his wife and two daughters, who were guests of the Guild for the day. After the necessary introductions were made, we huddled together to watch the much anticipated race.

Muffin got a fabulous start and was out of the gate like a thunderbolt. He settled in second place behind Salient and remained there for the first three to four furlongs, and then I thought he'd hit a divot or pothole, as from my position he seemed to stumble, but he kept up for a while before eventually being virtually pulled up to finish in around 8th position.

We made our way anxiously to the unsaddling enclosure to greet Muffin and Travis, and I for one was expecting to hear that he'd pulled a tendon or something similar, and was relieved to hear that he had in fact thrown his front left shoe, and Travis had decided therefore not to push him to avoid any possible injury. He seemed fine in himself however, and was enoying all the attention he was getting from us.

Once we were back at our table outside the pavilion we had time to reflect on the performance and were all obviously deflated but grateful that he hadn't sustained an injury. Stuart and Judy rejoined us after a few minutes and Stuart said that although Muffin is still very fit and performing well at home, he may just be passed his peak for the season, but this said, Stuart feels that it would be prudent to give him a couple more races before the end of the season to try to get him off a more competitive mark for the start of next season.

Although it wasn't necessarily the result we were all hoping for, at least our Boy came out unscathed, and we still had a very enjoyable day.

Great to see Debs, Steve, Russ again and to meet up with Duncan and his family, who seemed to enjoy the day too.

Thanks as ever to Team Kittow, Neil and Kathy.

Thanks,

Jackie