Deep Cret by Dick Francis

For millionaire jockey Alan York, winning is a bonus. For Joe Natwich, victory means no cushy backhanders; and for Bill Davidson, front running on strongly fancied Admiral, triumph is an imposter. It means murder - his own.

Turning private detective, York uses Joe's underwold connections to go on the trail of the killers - nly to draw a series of blanks. But when ambushed by a gang of vicious thugs, he picks up some clues, along with cuts and bruises. Bill's murder begins to make sense. Until York finds himself in hospital, without a memory.