Nerve - Dick Francis

A man doesn't publicly shoot himself in the head in broad daylight with no warning. But Art Mathews did. Pip Pankhurst found his shin bone sticing out of his leg, and his rides over for the season. Grant Oldfield needed help. The kind a psychiatrist gives. It was as though there was a hoodoo on the whole jockey tribe.

Then Robb Finn started riding losers. Too many to be a coincidence. Thirteen out of fifteen too many. Finn needs to know just what the hell is going on. However no one is talking.

but Finn soon realises he is alone in a world where the only pointers are violence, dope, and the malignant force of twisted envy...

'Superbly exciting' Daily Express