Lester Piggott Day at Newmarket on Saturday may have to take place without its guest of honour, but the centre of British Flat racing will be relieved to know that the greatest jockey of his generation is expected to return to his home in the town within the next few days.

Piggott (71) was admitted to the intensive care unit of a hospital in Switzerland yesterday following the recurrence of a heart problem. However, William Haggas, his son-in-law (married to Piggott's daughter, Maureen), said last night that his condition is not believed to be life-threatening.

"I think it is fairly common knowledge that he had a bit of a heart problem at Christmas and he had a recurrence of that last night in Switzerland," Haggas said. "Everyone knows that if you have been in hospital with a heart condition and you go back in and enter intensive care it is a worry and it is a fear. But I am assured by Maureen, and I know from the tone of her voice, that there is no worry in it, that he is going to be fine."

Piggott's sudden return to hospital means that he will be unable to attend the meeting at Newmarket on Saturday, when the seven races on the card will be named after his winners of the Newmarket Classics, the 1,000 and 2,000 Guineas. Piggott won the 1,000 Guineas twice and the 2,000 Guineas five times during a career that included a total of 30 British Classic winners.

The course is likely to decide today whether to postpone the meeting in Piggott's honour, which marks the 50th anniversary of his first Guineas winner. However, entries for the seven races, which include the Crepello Stakes, a Heritage Handicap, have already been published.

"The update that we had this afternoon that Lester's life is not in any danger is very good to hear and everyone at the racecourse wishes him all the best for a full and speedy recovery," Alistair Haggis, Newmarket's spokesman, said yesterday. "We will be consulting with Lester's family and will make an announcement tomorrow about plans for Saturday. As things stand the raceday is planned to go ahead and will be a great tribute to him."

Haggas said last night that Piggott is "distraught" that he will not be able to attend on Saturday.