WALTER SWINBURN had recovered enough yesterday in hospital in Hong Kong to recognise his father for the first time since his fall at Sha Tin on Sunday.

"He is still very ill" Wally Swinburn said of his 34 year old son, who remains on a respirator in intensive care after breaking his collarbone, left shoulder blade and two ribs, as well as banging his head in the accident when his mount careered across the track and crashed into the rails.

Blood and fluid accumulated in his lungs, which is the biggest concern of doctors. "He he is now more conscious and aware of his surroundings. He recognised me for first time but he is still a very sick boy," said Swinburn senior, a former Irish champion jockey who rode in Hong Kong himself 20 years ago.

"The lung is repairing but there's so much pain from the ribs that he can't cough properly to clear it," he added.

Swinburn said his son would not be fit to start the English flat season next month. "There's no chance for the start of the season. It's hard to say, maybe the first or second weeks of April."

Walter Swinburn's fiancee Britt Eldrup arrived on Tuesday to be at his bedside. Wally Swinburn said they would stay "until I'm sure he's on the mend".

Swinburn is expected to remain in the intensive care unit of the Prince of Wales Hospital for at least another day.