Racing: Maguire in final flourish

ON the eve of the jump season's final day, Adrian Maguire closed to within two of jockeys' title leader Richard Dunwoody. Maguire rode a double at Stratford last night before his great rival snatched a victory in the last race, writes Chris Corrigan.

Maguire's double took his total to 192. Dunwoody is now on 195 but is sure to lose one of those wins at a pending Jockey Club inquiry.

Today, however, Martin Pipe wheels out the big guns on the side of the reigning champion on the last day of hostilities in the title race. Dunwoody has assembled nine booked rides against eight for Adrian Maguire.

Maguire, who was three winners behind his great rival when the two resumed their battle at Stratford last night, has good opportunities from his mounts today. But it is Dunwoody who looks to have an advantage in quality as well as in numbers.

On this afternoon's card at Stratford, Dunwoody has been provided with five Pipe rides. And in the Seasons Over Novice Hurdle, the last event at Market Rasen's evening meeting, Pipe gives his retained rider the leg up on Pridwell, one of country's finest young hurdlers.

Maguire was the early pacesetter in the 1993-94 campaign. By 7 January this year he had established an advantage of 41 winners at the top of the table. Dunwoody, however, has finished powerfully, overtaking his fellow Irishman on 14 May and was long odds-on for the title when bookmakers suspended betting last month. But Maguire achieved a remarkable hat- trick at Uttoxeter on Thursday to keep the pressure on.

Last night's results, page 23