AZERTYUIOP FOR WINCANTON Paul Nicholls` highly-regarded French import Azertyuiop was today given the go-ahead to make his British debut in the Axminster Hurdle on Thursday.Nicholls also had St Pirran pencilled in for the Grade Two Wincanton contest, formerly known as the Kingwell Hurdle.But that gelding is now likely to attempt to boost his Cheltenham Festival credentials at Kempton 24 hours later.The trainer said: 'Azertyuiop will run in the Axminster Hurdle and Adrian Maguire will ride as he has agreed with owner John Hales to partner the horse in the Elite Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham next month.'All this has come about because Adrian is banned on Friday and Saturday and he obviously wants to get a feel of the horse in a race before going to Cheltenham and this would have been the last chance for him to do so.'Azertyuiop, winner of his only start over hurdles to date and rated a 14-1 chance for the Triumph by Ladbrokes, will cross swords with Smurfit Champion Hurdle hopes Grimes, Hitmanand Hors La Loi III on Thursday.Stable-companion St Pirran is on target to run in the Gerrard Novices` Hurdle (formerly the Dovecote Novices` Hurdle) at Kempton on Friday.The trainer`s Guinness Arkle Chase hopes Inn Antique and Exit to Wave are both likely to have their final pre-Cheltenham outings this week at Wincanton or Kempton.
