Swinburn, Carson return to action

WALTER SWINBURN makes his long awaited return to racing at Windsor this afternoon after spending six months on the sidelines fallowing an horrific fall in Hong Kong in February.

The jockey takes the mount on Talathath for Chris Dwyer in the Royal Bank of Scotland Handicap at 3.30 and an hour and a half later rides the Michael Stoute-trained Don Bosio in the Wellington Maiden Stakes.

Swinburn, who rode out yesterday morning, is eager to return. "I am just looking forward to coming back," he said.

"I have fever ridden either horse and I'll receive my instructions on the day.

"I've had lots of messages of good luck which I would like to thank people for," he added.

Swinburn required surgery on his skull and suffered lung, shoulder and rib injuries when his mount Liffey River veered across the track and crashed through the running rail at Sha Tin.

Since recovering from the injuries he has fought to get the go-ahead to return - he had originally hoped to be back in time for the Guineas - and it was not until July 24th that the Jockey Club Licensing Committee gave him permission to return today.

At the time the committee said they were following the Club's own guidelines that a jockey who suffered such serious injuries should wait six months.

While sidelined by his injury Swinburn has had to watch other jockeys score on Stoute's Dazzle, Dr Massini and Soviet Line, each of which he would have ridden had he been fit.

Willie Carson also returns from injury at the riverside track today.

Carson, who has been off the course since a fall from Mubhij at Newmarket on July 26th resulted in injuries to his back and arm, also has two mounts. He rides Irtifa for Peter Walwyn in the Salamanca Fillies' Nursery Handicap and partners the Dick Hern-trained Ikdam in the five-runner Copenhagen Conditions race.

Speaking from home yesterday morning, Carson confirmed his return. "I will be back tomorrow," he said.

Of his chances of success he added: "The first one (Irtifa) fell home when she won a bad race last time and Ikdam has the Chapple-Hyam horse (Stone Flower) to beat."