Smokey Oakey won the Group 3 Brigadier Gerard Stakes

The horses were out - doing faster work

swimming,

picking grass,

and using the all-weather gallops,

while the two-year-olds continued their education and

went through the stalls before making their debuts

We were thrilled - honoured and privileged - to have an interview with Hollywood star, friend of Russell Trew and lifelong West Ham fan, Ray Winstone.

Russell Trew, Ray Winstone and the Guv'nor

The great man himself completing our questionnaire at Newmarket races

"I always give him some stick when I see him," laughed Mark. "But you could not wish to meet a better person. At the Craven I was joking with him about his beard - but no doubt it's for another of his famous roles. He is a fantastic actor and brilliant at what he does. If I was an actor I'd have wanted to be John Wayne, Clint Eastwood - or perhaps even Ray himself! We have a mutual understanding - those of us that are in the limelight!" With that Mark's morning cup of tea went everywhere. "No, seriously, he is a good friend of our sponsor Russell Trew and he was great to do our questionnaire - like all of Russell's friends, they work hard, play hard and yet keep their family and friends at the heart of everything they do."

Your favourite time of the day: 7.30am

Your favourite time of year: September

Your favourite place: Home

Your favourite book / author: Searcher

Your greatest sporting moment: World Cup Final 66

As a child what did you want to be when you grew up: Bobby Moore

Your favourite racehorse and why: Boleyn Castle - because he was game and won me a grand

Your favourite racecourse: Goodwood

Your best day's racing: Newmarket with my mates

Your main goal in life: Live for my kids

If you had one wish, what would it be: To live forever

The yearlings were enjoying their time at Garrowby Stud

And, we also had an interview with Stephen Wallis, Managing Director at Newmarket Racecourses.

Mark added: "Stephen Wallis is a terrific addition to the HQ of British Horseracing. He has been in charge at Epsom for the last few years and overseen the improvements that are now going to put Epsom back on the map. My only hope is that the race itself can get back to being the pinnacle of achievement for the professionals in the game. With all the hyped-up overseas races on the agenda nowadays, people tend to overlook what a fantastic achievement it is to win a race like the Epsom Derby.

"Stephen will revolutionise Newmarket and get it back to what it should be. In fact, I have never known a Craven meeting with such atmosphere and everybody enjoying themselves so much. The only thing that was missing was terrestrial TV coverage, which I am sure will be rectified next year.

"He is one of those people who gets things done, is highly respected by everybody and can communicate with all the diverse characters in the industry. He has the backing of everybody - especially the Newmarket trainers. I wish him well with his first Guineas and the future!"

Your favourite time of the day: Morning - no question!

Your favourite time of year: Spring - everyone is optimistic.

Your favourite place: Cornwall

Your favourite book / author: 'Round America with the Boys' - the story of a father taking his sons on holiday in a winnebago.

If you were to star in a film, who would you be: The third Blues Brother! Surely the best musical film in the last thirty years.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up: A fireman, and then a film director.

Your favourite racehorse and why: Plovers Lane - the only horse I have owned a leg of. He was utterly useless, beating only one of over 70 rivals in his career. Ownership can only get better!

Your favourite racecourse and why: Salisbury. It has often been a lucky course for family-owned horses - although sadly not for a while! It is the only course at which we once had a family double.

Your best day’s racing: Nashwan's 2,000 Guineas - no competition.

Your main goal in life: To do my best and to maintain my principles and values.

Your proudest moment: When my eldest daughter passed a difficult exam that we weren't certain she would pass!

If you had one wish, what would it be: That my four children avoid drugs.