A huge shock to racing as Walter Swinburn passed yesterday at the tragically early age of 55;a supremely talented horseman of his, and any other, generation he was just a magic rider of highly strung but even more highly talented horses such as Zilzal; and he was the most nerveless of riders on big race occasions; his superb ride to win the 1981 Derby at the age of 19 on the peerless Shergar was simply a sublime piece of judgement from a natural racerider; he will be sorely missed.

We will back in action tomorrow, at Newbury where Pension Madness will take his final step to a mark and at Kempton where Royal Sentiment makes his first appearance for Rowdown in the Maiden Auction Stake.