Davis died from internal bleeding

RACING

Richard Davis, the jockey crushed in a fall at Southwell on Friday, died from a lacerated liver and uncontrollable internal bleeding, it was announced yesterday by the Nottinghamshire coroner, Dr Nigel Chapman.

Yesterday's opening of the inquest in Newark into Davis's death was adjourned for further investigation. It was attended by Davis's mother, Ann, who said she had watched her 26-year-old son's fall on television in Flavell, Worcestershire. She had called the racecourse to be told he had been taken to the Queen's Medical Centre in Nottingham but by the time she arrived Davis had died.

His funeral will be held at Earl's Croome Church, near Worcester, at noon on Friday.

n Walter Swinburn visits the Jockey Club today seeking approval for his return to race-riding after a five-month absence due to injuries suffered in a fall that almost claimed his life in Hong Kong. The jockey will be armed with the results of independent medical examinations that support his case.

n The retired trainer Sue Armytage has died from cancer. Mrs Armytage, who was in her sixties, assisted her former husband, Roddy, in his training operation and branched out in her own right when they separated. She was the mother of Gee, the jockey, and Marcus, the journalist and amateur rider.