A possible record turnout of seventeen guilders gathered on the garden lawns of the owners bar on a barmy summer afternoon at Royal Windsor.

The collective mood was buoyant and confidence boosted by the withdrawal of the early morning favourite Dear Maurice due to unsuitable ground.

No such worries for Muffin as Stuart had previously checked the ground in front of the stands and reported that the official good to firm was closer to good. Muffin had the perfect draw (for a change) on the inside rail and was the new favourite supported from 9/4 in to 7/4.

In the parade ring Muffin looked an absolute picture and I have never seen him look so well, easily the paddock pick. As our hero took our regular jockey Fergus Sweeney out of the parade ring and down to the start, the team took time out to watch on the big screen, the other Kittow trained runner of the day due off just 10 minutes before at Salisbury. Hawridge King started 10/3 and bravely fought off all challengers to record a handsome win that had the guilders cheering before our race!

Muffin was last into the stalls and first out, taking the lead from the off. Hugging the inside rail heading away from the stands right handed around the bottom loop and onward to the sprint track. At the halfway stage the field crossed the course intersection and the race began in earnest with Muffin still at the head of affairs. One and a half furlongs out Muffin began to idle and allowed Rambling Light to pull alongside and go a length clear. Fergus got to work and Muffin responded, but Rambling Light had edged right across his path (the stewards considered no interference had occurred) and he had to be pulled away from the rail to renew his challenge. Our brave warrior was back on terms and the two horses flashed across the line together clear of the rest of the field.

Stuart thought Muffin had just got up, Fergus believed he had won and we seventeen guilders were convinced he had prevailed.

The angle had fooled us all and the official result was announced, Muffin was to be second by a neck. Fergus Sweeney confirmed that Muffin did indeed start to idle in front allowing the field to close and only having been passed did he then begin to pick up and run on again.

We all retired to the owners bar to celebrate another tenacious effort by our boy.

An excellent day for the Guild and a tremendous day for the Kittow stable!!

Martin