What a day!!!!!!

The day started out quite frantic when I realised that I was the only member going to the meeting and that it might be an opportunity to introduce some potential new members to the thrills of racing. Before I moved out to Germany I worked in Chester so was on the phone to people there to invite them as guests to the meeting – alas it was all in vain as everyone seemed to have something else planned. After about an hour on the phone I ended up with one taker, Gary my son. Now I should have realised that this was a good omen because the last time I took Gary racing we ended up drinking champagne in the winners area at Haydock when we represented one of our members there (Andrew Page) whose horse Takes Tutu won on that day!!!!!

So at 12.00 we set off from Preston to Chester, usually 45 minutes but due to unbelievable traffic around Chester and getting the run around by stewards who would not let us park in the O&T car park we managed to park up at 2.00 pm. Those of you who have been to Chester recently will know they have a fantastic new O&T facility and all free badges are entitled to a meal, which is excellent. Alas we were told that this facility was full and hence we could have the badges but not use the O&T facility. Now I was getting pretty annoyed with them, especially as it was their fault I had spent an hour trying to park, so in the end used my powers of persuasion (argument) to gain entry. As we sat down to eat I remember Gary saying to me that “The day can only get better”, I just did not realise at that point how much better.

Well things started to improve immediately we had the 5/1 winner in the 3td race and the 10/1 winner in the race before Muffins then on top of that £157.20 trifecta in the 1st race at Haydock. By the time Muffins race came up we were buzzing!!!!!!

In the parade ring Muffin was about the most relaxed I have ever seen him, he was still on his toes as he always his but none of the swinging around like he does a lot. We met up with Stuart and his son they both told us he had travelled well and was ready for it. When introduced to Louis the jockey I expected someone to be speaking in broken English or at least with a French accent but his English was perfect with an American accent. He felt there was plenty of horses in the race that might try and make the running and that they were all drawn around Muffin. The plan was to get Muffin out and just keep him handy.

So we went to the O&T stand to watch the race. On the way my future son in-law, who manages a bookies, called me to say that his shop was running a £12k liability if Muffin won because a punter had a Lucky 15 running with Muffin being the pick of the final leg. Well that’s one poorer bookies!!!!!

Muffin came out from the gate well with the favourite Kings Point determined to make the running. Muffin just kept with him and they both started to pull away from the rest. From 3 furlongs out I was convinced that Muffin had the measure of Kings Point and coming around the bend, approx 2 furlongs out, I could not see him losing as most of the others where well back and off the bridle. The final furlong turned out to be the longest in history as Muffin held on to win by just a nk. I was absolutely shaking and people must have thought I had won millions as me and Gary danced around in the stands!!!!!!

We dashed down to the parade ring to be swamped by photographers and looking at Muffin I’m sure he knew what he had done as he looked so please with himself. We were presented with a fantastic trophy, two silver horses, which was very heavy. We then had a champagne reception with the Major of Chester and a Duchess of ?????.

Well done Muffin, Stuart/family and staff and a special thanks to Louis who produced a brilliant ride and without the 5lb claim it may not have been.......