Azertyuiop Comeback Delayed Connections of Azertyuiop have abandoned any hopes of the horse returning to action this season. The eight-year-old has been off the track since suffering an overreach injury when finishing runner-up to Well Chief in the Betfred Celebration Chase at Sandown in April. There had been an outside chance that trainer Paul Nicholls could have the John Hales-owned gelding back on the track in the spring. However, Nicholls told At The Races on Tuesday: 'I was speaking with Mr Hales this morning and he told me that he´s OK. 'He just needs a bit more box rest but he will be back next season. 'There was a chance we could have raced him again in the spring but it was felt the right thing was to leave him all year and then come in next July with a full campaign next year.' Azertyuiop has won 11 of his 22 starts over obstacles, including the 2004 Queen Mother Champion and the Arkle Challenge Trophy the previous year. (C) PA SPort
