 Azertyuiop won two of his six races last season |
Ex-champion chaser Azertyuiop is set to miss the whole of the season after an injury he sustained at Sandown was found to be worse than first feared. The Paul Nicholls-trained eight-year-old was beaten by Well Chief on the last day of last season and came home with a cut leg.
But it has now transpired that he has suffered an overreach and he is now set for a lengthy period on the sidelines.
"He is unlikely to race this season," Nicholls told the Racing Post.
"Understandably this is a huge disappointment for John (owner John Hales), myself and all the staff at our yard, who are working so hard for another successful season.
"The injury is not that serious, though, and I'm hopeful he will be back in action next season."
Azertyuiop is Britain's highest-rated chaser and finished in the top three in all of his six runs last season, although he could not add to his 2003 Queen Mother Champion Chase victory when only third behind Moscow Flyer and Well Chief.
MMIX
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