Adrian Maguire looks set for a return to race-riding in around two weeks' time, the jockey announced last night. He has been sidelined since breaking his right arm when unseated by Hurricane Lamp at Kempton on December 28th - his first tumble since cracking the same bone in a fall at Sandown three weeks earlier.

The Irishman had his arm Xrayed yesterday at the Ridgeway Hospital, Swindon, under the supervision of Dr Michael Foy, who was satisfied with the results. Maguire had the plaster removed last night.

"I'm OK," announced Maguire. "Michael Foy was very happy with the X-rays and the cast is off now and I've got the arm in a wrist support.

The 26-year-old is now firmly on course for the Cheltenham Festival having missed the last three. He was mourning the sudden death of his mother in 1995, broke a collarbone on March 1st a year later.