Coroner reports Walter Swinburn died after tragic accident

Coroner Dr. Shirley Radcliffe reported: "A tragic accident" resulted in Walter Swinburn losing his life at his London home.

Westminster Coroner's Court detailed, Swinburn's death was attributed to the head injuries he sustained after falling 12 feet from his bathroom window. 

Wally Swinburn's [father], found his 55-year-old son at his Belgravia maisonette. His father theorised that the jockey of 1981 Derby winner Shergar had been left shaken after suffering an epileptic fit. Trying to close a very stiff window, he fell from the sill onto the courtyard below.

Coroner Dr. Shirley Radcliffe expressed her "deep condolences" to the family, and said: "It seems there is little doubt his tragic death was due to an accident." Speaking outside the court, Swinburn's brother Michael said: "As we thought, it was a tragic accident. The whole thing has been a big shock to us. It was a tragic, tragic accident."

God Bless.

2:00 Pontefract Racing Tips (3rd Oct) RACINGUK.COM/BRITISH STALLION STUDS EBF MAIDEN STAKES (Plus 10 Race) (CLASS 4) (2yo)

An EBF Maiden Stakes over 1m 2f 6y on good to soft going. 

Nine two-year-old runners. Seven with race experience. Not the most inspiring of a contest in some respects but I have my eye on one of the debutantes. Physicist is trained by Paul Cole and owned and bred by Mrs. Fitri Hay. This bay colt is a son of Galileo is out of a poor race mare, placed but never winning. The betting is the guide for this juvenile and the reason for making a wager. If 8/1 & SP has fair each-way claims but if weak in the betting best watched. 

2:50 Windsor - 

Sir Michael Stoute has been firing in a few winners and Adamant looks to hold every chance of winning this maiden after making his debut as the second string when finishing a fourth of ten behind stablemate Elucidation. To be fair, this grey colt didn't inspire confidence on that first start and backers today will be fixing their hopes on the reasoning this son of Dalakhani was in need of the race. This breeze up purchase cost 130,000E and races in the silks of Highclere Thoroughbred Racing. 

I would take a watching brief.  

4:35 Leicester Racing Tips (6th Sept) BRITISH STALLION STUDS APOLLO EBF MAIDEN STAKES (Plus 10 Race) (CLASS 4) (2yo)

An EBF Maiden Stakes over 7f on good to soft going. 

Thirteen two-year-old colts take part.  Five juveniles with race experience. Plenty of renowned trainers taking an interest in this Plus 10 contest with win prize money a shade over £5,000.

A big old field but plenty of interest. 

Roger Charlton fields *Zafferino. This son of Frankel is out of a once-raced mare. This home-bred is owned by Saleh Al Homaizi & Imad Al Sagar. He started 8/15f in a four-horse race but couldn't hold the late challenge of Seniority. Zafferino was a touch keen on his racecourse debut but held in high regard by connections. With that initial experience, this February foal should go well and has sound each-way claims.

For more reading material around horse race betting, be sure to check out Bethut's horse racing tips.

Sir Michael Stoute should always be respected in the latter part of the season and he has sent out a few nice two-year-olds over the last few weeks. Elucidation is a homebred racing in the familiar silks of the Niarchos Family. This son of Oasis Dream was the lesser fancied of two horses representing Stoute on debut at Newmarket. Perhaps that was the reason Elucidation was sent off at odds of 16/1. However, he showed ample promise, staying on in the closing stages to finish third. The winner, trained by James Tate, ran on with verve after being fancied to go well at Yarmouth behind the very smart Salsabeel. Law And Order [Tate] had exceptional win and place statistics that day and it was not surprising to me he was a powerhouse. I had my eye on the runner-up. Rummani, who is a talent, which boosts the likelihood of Elucidation. I would keep an eye open for Mandarin, who disappointed that day but was heavily backed and I know for a fact is held in high regard by Marco Botti. Elucidation looks the type to improve for that racecourse bow and has strong each-ways claims if priced 13/2 & less SP.

Adamant is similarly trained, owned by Highclere Thoroughbred Racing. This grey colt is a son of Dalakhani who was purchased as a breeze-up purchase by John Warren for 130,000E. The mare, Attima, won three times in her career racing in France and America, winning at Group 2. The best guide to this debutantes chance is the betting. The majority of Stoute's debutantes win when priced 13/2 & less SP. If outside this betting guide I would take a watching brief. 

To add to the heat, *Naval Warfare comes here after finishing fourth and second, respectively. This bay colt, a son of Born To Sea, put up a bold front-running performance over seven and a half furlongs at Ffos Las to be worn down in the closing stages by Math's Prize. It was a fair effort to beat Prerogative, who has been a model of consistency. I can see this bay colt leading and should appreciate this softer going. 

Luca Cumani doesn't have the biggest string of two-year-olds but a trainer who should always be respected on their second start. It is worth noting that Presence Process races in the second colours forSaleh Al Homaizi & Imad Al Sagar. This bay colt is a son of Dansili and half-brother to Justineo who race up to Group 1 class. Presence Process was relatively fancied on debut at 10/1 but a long way behind the first three, which included Law And Order. On a form line, he has to find a good few lengths to beat Elucidation. I would take  a watching brief unless seriously backed.     

Ed Dunlop has a couple of runners both making their racecourse bow. Alemaratalyoum is an Irish-bred son of Lope in the ownership of Mohammed Jaber. He has a couple of fair juveniles with the stable in Apex King & Al Nafoorah. He cost 85,000G. Dunlop's debutantes are best judged by their starting price. They have a fighting chance when priced 14/1 & less SP. If weak in the betting I'd take a watching brief. 

The market should detail the chances of Nigh Or Never who is trained by Tom Dascombe. This January foal is a son of Excelebration out of a Galileo mare and cost 100,000E at the yearling sales. Dascombe's juvenile is presently priced at 20/1, which suggests he will be better for the race or the competition is strong enough to make this a test. The stable can win at bigger odds although their brightest prospects are priced 7/1 & less SP. If in that guide should be feared.

I always take a second look at John's juveniles owned by George Strawbridge. They often prove a fair combination. The stable have their share of debut winners, especially if fancied in the betting. Jupiter Light is a son of Lonhro out of a seriously good mare who won on debut and runner-up in the Fillies' Mile. An exceptional filly who achieved a highest OR 113. The betting suggests he will be better for the run but if backed to 13/2 & less SP have respectable each-way claims.

Charles Hill has a few fair juveniles in his string. *Farook hasn't been seen for over two months since finishing behind Apex King. This son of Raven's Pass was relatively fancied in te betting but disappointed. There may have been an issue that day. Hamdan Al Maktoum stuck his hand deep in his pocket to buy this roan colt at the yearling sales for 420,000G. It would be a surprise to see this colt backed. He doesn't hold any significant entries but one for the shortlist is the money comes.  

Al Mansor hails from Richard Hannon's stable. I find this stable difficult to assess with their debutantes because they are difficult to call. In general, they are better for their debut. This son of Dark Angel  cost 95,000E at the breeze-up sales so should come here with fitness and wisdom.     

The stable field Sporting Times who is a home-bred. The betting suggests this youngster is best watched.

Time To See & Quinteo are best watched. 

Conclusion: A tough race to be too dogmatic with a handful of horses which have shown promise if no undoubted ability. I was impressed by Elucidation on debut when starting at big odds. The form of that race is solid and any improvement would make this juvenile go very close. Zefferino will have his supporters with the Frankel tag, which probably means he will start little shorter odds than deserved. However, it is difficult to assess the form of that race but Charlton has very good win and place claims with horses fancied on their second start and if difting to each-way prices wouldn't be a bad bet at all. If Adamant is priced 13/2 & less SP it would be significant. Farook cost a lot of money and may have sustained an injury or problem on debut. He could be backed from big odds and may be worth an anticipatory gamble. 

*NR 

2:10 Yarmouth Racing Tips (30th Aug) BET TOTEJACKPOT BRITISH STALLION STUDS EBF MAIDEN FILLIES´ STAKES (Plus 10 Race) (CLASS 5) (2yo)

Good to see Great Yarmouth back with its racing after the mile straight has been leveled and re-turfed. Let's hope this encourages the high-profile trainers who complained about the surface. Personally, I find it strange ARC found £300,000 to do this work when other courses such as Ripon are much worse. It makes me wonder what they have in mind for this seaside course. 

I half intended to go today but with our annual pilgrimage only a couple of weeks away it would be something of an anti climax. Makes me smile to see they start proceedings with a decent two-year-old contest. 

Alqubbah is a decent juvenile for Ed Dunlop, one of the better two-year-olds in his stable. This Irish-bred daughter or Arcano was fancied on debut at Newmarket over 6f on good to firm going. She was backed to 7/2 second favourite but seemingly disappointed when trailing behind Mark Johnston's Lumiere, who is a class act. The form of that race has been franked with Sharja Queen and particularly Shadow Hunter, who ran creditably at Listed class when contesting the St Hughes Stakes at Newbury, then triumphant at a similar grade in the Julia Graves Stakes at York. Those initial thoughts that something may have been amiss that day are mostly unfounded. I had my eye on this bay second start and intended to have a decent bet. However, the fact that Hamdan Al Maktoum had Jadaayil priced favourite in the first colours slightly skewed the betting for the lesser fancied in the market. Both juveniles were there on merit and Alqubbah would have gone close if not for being short of room in the closing stages. That was another fine effort and it will take a smart performance to beat Hanagan's mount on the Norfolk coast. Short odds but a worthy favourite.

As always, there are very few easy races these days and two or three opponents are notable.

Aberlady has done nothing wrong in both her starts to date for K Abdullah, trained by Sir Michael Stoute. This home bred daughter of Arch out of the class mare Visit, who won at Group class and was placed multiple times at Group 1, suffered narrow defeats at Newmarket and Kempton, respectively. She was quite well backed on debut when staying on to finish third behind Palenville, who disappointed in the Albany Stakes Group 3 at Royal Ascot. Aberlady was made a 1/2f at Kempton in July but couldn't withstand the late charge of Justice Angel. That filly ran well but defeated next start with an official rating of 77. Connections will be hoping an absence of over fifty days will bring about further improvement. Based on that effort, this bay/brown filly will need to find a couple of lengths to scare the favourite. There is a possibility she was not on song last start or better suited to turf. If available at each way prices there may be a little meat on the bone or a bet to nothing if hitting the frame. I would go with the favourite.

Very interested to see David Lanigan sending Thrilled to make her debut at Yarmouth. He is a difficult trainer to judge and, in general, his debutantes are very hit and miss. They can win when priced at 10/1 & less and a few have won at huge odds. In the good old days at this seaside course he was known to send his better two-year-olds and that aspects in itself gives some confidence. This daughter of Kodiac is out of a multiple-winning mare, who was Listed placed and campaigned at that level although never prevailed. This filly was purchased at the sales by Flaxman Stables Ireland Ltd for 460,000GNS and still in their ownership. They race Duntle, trained by David Watchman, who won at Group 1, an exceptional talented and consistent mare. I know Thrilled has ability and held in high regard by the stable. As with so many debutantes I wouldn't want to jump in at short odds and the bookmakers have this bay filly priced at 4/1. That seems a very skinny price. It may reflect the high regard she is held but it does temper my enthusiasm. Lanigan's debutante record doesn't fill me with confidence and over six furlongs, against decent, fit and ready juveniles, being tardy from the stalls would make this hard work unless a true talent. I have some conflict about this horse with pros and cons. I would take a watching brief but it wouldn't be a surprise to see a sparkling performance.    

Roger Varian had a smart winner in Taneen at Newmarket on Saturday, a horse with a string of flashy Group entries. Fourth Way is a daughter of Iffraaj out of a a winning mare who was trained by John Weymes. She was a fair sort who raced at Listed class. This May foal doesn't have any smart entries which may bring slight concerns. The betting is the best guide and if priced 13/2 & less has respectable win and place claims. If weak in the betting I'd take a watching brief.   

The last of the interesting juveniles contesting this race for me is Rose Marmara. This home bred daughter of Exceed And Excel is owned by Jaber Abdullah. Richard Fahey is a fine trainer of debutantes. The mare was a sprinter for Mick Channon and won at Listed class and ran at Group level. Has fair win and place claims if fancied in the betting although I'd take a watching brief. 

The others are best watched.

Conclusion: A great start for Yarmouth - back on course. I'm excited about this race if not from a betting perspective just to see how a few of these go. Alqubbah sets the standard and will take the beating. She is a talented juvenile who has proven ability and will be fit and primed to run well. The odds are cramped but she is the horse to beat. Aberlady has each way claims although I would take a watching brief. The betting is the best indicator for Fourth Way and Rose Marmara. They would need to be 13/2 & less to register with me. The latter could win outside this betting guide but if both are weak in the betting I'd watch and learn. Thrilled is interesting and I can't wait to see how she fares. Lanigan doesn't strike me as a trainer to win on debut although he can, especially with a talented horse. It is encouraging that he likes to send his better two-year-olds to Yarmouth. That does give more hope than not. A huge price tag and lovely breeding are pointers. This filly is held in high regard at home but can she win on debut? On balance, I would have to take a watching brief at the odds. The favourite is the horse to beat.

5:00 Lingfield (21st February) Free Racing Tips

A 0-70 rated handicap for four-year-olds plus. A pretty poor affair. Five horses take part: all fillies and mares. This isn't a race type I would take any great interest and this post is to detail a humorous story rather than a fill-your-boots tip. The horse in question is Meddling, trained by Julia Feilden. I know one of our regular readers will be rolling his eyes as I mention this individual, trained from Exning, just outside Newmarket. I am an avid reader of Julia's blog, and a superb read it is, too . I remember her excellent horse Spirit Of Sharjah, who competed at Group class at two and had an official rating of 107. What a wonderful specimen. Aged nine, he has since retired and owned by none other than Richard Perham. His name will be familiar to readers because he used to ride professionally for Richard Hannon. These days Richard works for the British Riding School, coaching fledgling jockeys. In addition, he's a regular presenter on At The Races. It proves that the racing world is small and interwoven. 

I've been following the progress of Meddling. This daughter of Halling was purchased in December by Feilden for 15,000gns. Now four years old, she's said to be going well at home and the stable fancied her last time at Wolverhampton when a 25/1 shot. By all accounts it was a disappointment, finishing last of seven runners. The interesting part of the story is that this chestnut filly used to be trained by Sir Michael Stoute. Although fancied on a number of occasions, this April foal couldn't find the winner's enclosure. Feilden has decided to step this filly up to 1m 2f in an attempt to find improvement. I imagine this has as much to do with her breeder suggesting a test of stamina could be the key. Evidently, he told this to Sir Michael Stoute. He never got a reply! 

Most punters have given up the ghost. I assume the stable are testing the water today but a drop in weight, after the trainer said Meddling was well handicapped, could give hope. I would have to take a watching brief and cross my fingers for the Feilden team.  

Telescope sights trained on Great Voltigeur

In a move that comes as something of a surprise to those who saw him comprehensively outpointed in Group 3 company ay Haydock recently, connections of one-time Investec Derby favourite Telescope have indicated they may well run at York on August 21 in the prestigious Group 2 Neptune Investment Management Great Voltigeur Stakes.

Although Harry Herbert, spokesman for Telescope’s owners the Highclere Thoroughbred Racing syndicate, indicated there is no intention to run in the Ladbrokes St Leger next month, (a race for which the Great Voltigeur is a key trial), one or two firms have introduced him into the ante-post betting for the final classic of the 2013 season at racing odds of 12/1.

Telescope had been expected to win the Group 3 Betfred Rose of Lancaster Stakes at Haydock and came there at the two furlong from home marker with every chance under former champion jockey, Ryan Moore. But, once asked to go about his business, he appeared to lack a change of gear and could only keep on at one pace, eventually being beaten length into second place by the South African raider David Livingston.

There was no hiding the disappointment on the faces of Sir Michael Stoute and those connected to Telescope, an impressive looking colt who had previously demonstrated his wellbeing after a nine-month racecourse absence when hacking up by 24 lengths in a conditions race at Leicester three weeks earlier.

Stoute apparently now feels that the son of Galileo is crying out for a step up in trip to at least a mile-and-a-half and - as he has recovered quickly from his Haydock exertions - feels it is worth letting him take his chance on the Knavesmire against the likes of potential leading St Leger contenders Leading Light and Galileo Rock.