Racing: Dunwoody beats Scudamore to century

RICHARD DUNWOODY recorded the fastest century of his career at Windsor yesterday, but still may not be able to keep Peter Scudamore at bay much longer. The reigning champion jockey partnered two winners at Leicester and is now only eight behind the season's leader.

'It's a wonderful feeling to get the 100 up. It's what I strive for each year,' Dunwoody said. 'The ambition now is to beat last year's total of 137 and aim for 150.'

Nick Henderson, who supplied Dunwoody's winner Grey Hussar, affirmed that he will support the Ulsterman's title challenge. 'Mine have been a bit quiet recently but they are coming back now and we'll find Richard a few more winners,' he said.

But Dunwoody believes his agent, Robert Kington, holds the key. 'If Robert can keep my outside rides ticking over, and David (Nicholson) and Nicky continue to fire, I must have a chance of beating Scu,' he said.

A chance certainly, but not much more than that based on the ease with which Scudamore picked up his Leicester wins on Tudor Da Samba and Triumph Hurdle aspirant Robingo and the post-race comments of Martin Pipe's assistant, Chester Barnes. 'It's good to get Scu going again, particularly for those of us who have had 4-1 about him winning the title,' he said. Stable support is not likely to be a problem.

Lester Piggott confirmed yesterday that he will return from the injuries sustained in the Breeders' Cup when he partners four horses at the Nad Al Sheba racecourse in Dubai tomorrow. Sheikh Mohammed and Sheikh Ahmed are expected to join a crowd of 5,000 and next week Piggott will ride at Sheikh Ahmed's track, Jebel Ali.

'The thought of retirement has never cropped up,' he said. 'I feel well and race riding is all I know.'