RACING: Unseated Maguire breaks his arm

Adrian Maguire, who lost out to Richard Dunwoody by a handful of winners' in the jump-jockeys' championship last year, seems certain to be the runner- up once again, after breaking his arm in a fall at Hereford yesterday. While Maguire's arm was being X-rayed, Dunwoody was riding a double at Chepstow to join him at the head of the title race with 130 winners apiece, some 19 winners clear of their nearest pursuer, Norman Williamson.

Maguire was riding David Nicholson's Desert Fighter in Hereford's opening hurdle race, and was approaching the last flight on the first circuit when his mount ducked out and unseated him.

"Adrian had X-rays at a local hospital which revealed a break," Dave Roberts, Maguire's agent, said last night. "The severity of the injury is not yet fully known, but clearly he will be out of action for some time."

With Dunwoody's principal employer, Martin Pipe, still saddling plenty of winners, a third consecutive title for the Ulsterman now seems inevitable. Maguire, who has youth on his side, will surely claim the championship in time, but having been so close last season, his disappointment and frustration at yesterday's injury will far outweigh any physical pain.

Racing, page 27