Last week’s remarkably successful Duck Race in Carding Mill Valley was overshadowed by news that Duck Down (number 19), went missing whilst competing in the Free Range Egg Cup, the last race but one. Seen in the above picture (front row, 6th from the right), Duck Down had briefly led the first race but faded in the middle part of the course, and failed to make an impact during subsequent races.

So far all attempts to locate the missing duck have failed, despite eggshaustive investigation. A goshawk has been helping police with their enquiries and has been released on police bail, but hopes are beginning to fade. Ducktective Chief Inspector Mallard summed it up: “We’re still hopeful that we will trace him, but the longer this investigation goes on, the less we eggspect a happy outcome, I’m afraid.”  He agreed that kidnapping could not be ruled out at this stage.