Maguire may resume pursuit on Monday

It was one of the great non-committal performances on Saturday. Richard Dunwoody did not elaborate on the strains in his relationship with the man for whom he won the Whitbread Gold Cup, Martin Pipe, and also refused to concede he has sealed a third riders' championship, writes Richard Edmondson.

Reticence on the second matter looked more understandable yesterday evening when Adrian Maguire, who is just eight behind Dunwoody in the jockeys' title, announced that he may be fit again for a return to the racecourse as early as Monday.

Maguire fractured his right arm just below the elbow two weeks ago on Desert Fighter at Hereford, a crash through the wing of a hurdle that seemed to have snapped not only a limb but also his prospects of a first title.

However, after consultation with John Webb, the man who performed the pin and wiring operation, Maguire will this week see Michael Turner, the Jockey Club's Chief Medical Officer, to discuss a return to the saddle.

"If Richard goes and has a good week, it might be useless anyway and the arm will have to improve but there is a chance I could be back for Monday," Maguire said yesterday.

"It's a long shot but if I have a chance I will give it a go."