Richard Baerlein dies

Richard Baerlein, racing correspondent of the Guardian and Observer for more than a quarter of a century, has died, aged 84. He had been in poor health following a motor accident.

Baerlein had a superb record in ante-post betting on big races, fully sharing his information with readers. He tipped Morston, 25-1 winner of the 1973 Derby, and topped the Sporting Life naps table that year.