Racing: Swinburn comeback goes to committee

Walter Swinburn will meet the Jockey Club's Licensing Committee next Wednesday "to discuss the re-issuing of his jockey's licence and the implications of his return to race-riding", according to a statement from the Club yesterday. He has been out of action since suffering broken ribs, a broken shoulder and bruised lungs in a fall at Sha Tin racecourse, Hong Kong, in February.

The jockey, who has partnered three Derby winners, started riding out in Newmarket at the end of last month and applied for the return of his licence.

"He has seen various specialists and the specialist the Jockey Club asked him to see," Swinburn's agent, Graham Green, said yesterday. "All the reports are now before the Licensing Committee and it is now up to them.

"Walter is fine and well in himself. He is in good form and is looking forward to riding at the earliest possible opportunity."

Norman Williamson, out of action since February with a dislocated shoulder that required surgery, finished second and third on his comeback mounts at Killarney yesterday. For a couple of strides in the finishing straight it seemed as if the Cork-born jockey might make a perfect return aboard the evens favourite, Micks Delight, in the opening race, but the reigning Irish champion, Charlie Swan, was not to be denied.