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Plus 11 and foggy when driving in.

Far too warm for the time of year and warm enough that we have to be so careful that horses don't sweat under their rugs at night.. chills can easily happen.

Jockeys David Bass and Richie McLernon were in for a couple of lots.. we worked and schooled..

We jumped Abbreviate, Battle Dust, The Last Samuri, Red Spinner, Taras Rainbow, King Simba, Policy Breach, Kilty Caul, Nam Hai, Emily Gray, Trojan Star, Viaduct Jack, Younevercall, Flemensmix, Grand March, Milord, Mollys A Diva, Mor Brook, Silver Eagle, Twelve Roses, Darna, Gallery Exhibition, Knockanrawley and Un Ace.

A video of the horses working can be seen here and of the horses schooling here

On Monday night Virginia Johnson emailed to say that her son in law Rory MacDonald had died suddenly that afternoon. It was such a shock and hard to believe.

I first met Rory when I was the trainers representative to the British Racing School in Newmarket and frankly he was a joy to meet and a joy to work with.

Rory soon made me feel at home and was always welcoming; before long it was evident that my role was not needed as he was so efficient and ran such a tight ship that the BRS just purred along happily and successfully with Rory at the helm.

Rory had that wonderful knack of being able to talk to anybody, whoever they were, and made them feel at ease. A man who certainly did not suffer fools gladly and one who worked hard and expected everybody to do the  same.

Rory retired as Chief executive of the BRS last year having spent 22 years transforming the place and leaving it as a world renowned centre of excellence. He was awarded an OBE for his work with the BRS.

Retired.. you could not really use that word for Rory, but it did mean he moved back full time to his home in Shropshire where his wife Antonia must have been delighted to have him back after years of commuting to Newmarket.

Rory will be hugely missed and all our thoughts go out to his family. He was a great man, fun, forthright and far too young to go at 66.

Philip Arkwright, who is a part owner here with Mr Puck and Mr Beatle gave me a copy of his book ‘A Commonplace Book’.. Not a public publication but one he has published for his mates.. A book that has had me in stiches over many nights and this little epitaph is rather fitting for Rory ..

He aimed low and missed…He set himself very low standards which he failed to attain..

We have one runner today at Warwick. Net Work Rouge and David Bass have to try and repeat what happened at Worcester. For my thoughts on their chances please click here..

For some light relief you can always read my stable tour..

Low Battery: A man saved his girlfriend's phone number on his mobile as 'Low Battery'.

Whenever she calls him, in his absence, his wife takes the phone and plugs it into the charger.

Give that man a medal.

To finish..

James Blandford. you emailed me last night and I tried to reply but it kept on coming back.. Please try again or ring me.