Dick Francis, a former steeplechase jockey, creates yet another suspenseful novel that is centers around the world of horse racing in England. Neil Griffon is forced to take over his father's stables when his father has an accident. In the typical fashion of Francis heroes Neil is soon beaten to a pulp and kidnapped by a crime lord. The crime lord promises Neil his freedom if Neil agrees to let the crime boss's son ride the stable's number one horse the Archangel in the Derby. You won't be able to put this or any other Dick Francis book down once you start them so get comfortable. ( )

A rich monomaniac, Rivera, will stop at nothing, not blackmail or murder, to ensure his son will be a crack Derby jockey. Neil Griffon is a trainer's son, who is compelled to hire the rich young man Alessandro Rivera as head jockey, or else the family stable will be destroyed. A good light suspense read. ( )