ADRIAN MAGUIRE will miss the Cheltenham Festival for the second year running after breaking his right collar bone in a fall at Newbury yesterday. He will be joined in the stands by Norman Wiliamson, who dislocated his shoulder on the gallops again yesterday morning.
Maguire was ruled out of the prestigious meeting, which starts in 11 days' time, when he was at the centre of a pile up during the Arkell Brewery Novices' Handicap Chase.
The jockey, aged 24, spent last year's Festival at home following the death of his mother Phyllis. Following this latest cruel setback he will miss Viking Flagship's hat trick bid in the Queen Mother Champion Chase a ride now likely to go to Charlie Swan and a host of other big race rides.
The worst was confirmed by Jockey Club chief medical officer Mr Michael Turner after he had examined Maguire at the racetrack.
"These things usually taken 21 days, he said. Carl Llewellyn once did it in 15 or 16, it depends on the break. But 11 days would be really ambitious and unlikely. Adrian is in a lot of pain and wasn't happy about it at all."
A philosophical David Nicholson reacted "I feel sorry for Adrian. I hope it is not as bad as they think. They said he would be out for six weeks last time.
"My assistant has already been on the phone to Charlie Swan. I will have around 25 runners at the Festival and will use the best available. Richard Johnson has a great chance to make a name for himself."
Williamson will miss the Cheltenham Festival for the second time in three seasons after suffering his injury while riding work on The Bud Club.
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