Williamson concedes

Norman Williamson admitted yesterday that he had lost all hope in his pursuit of Richard Dunwoody in the National Hunt jockeys' championship. Both riders, however, were pursued by the stewards on Saturday.

Williamson was referred to Jockey Club headquarters after being found guilty of causing intentional interference at Uttoxeter, while Dunwoody was banned for two days for a whip offence at Haydock.

Dunwoody, who leads Williamson 143 to 123, with the injured Adrian Maguire sandwiched between the pair on 130, said yesterday that he would be considering an appeal against his ban, which runs from 15-16 May.