Business faces three in Cheltenham trial

See More Business faces just three rivals as he bids to get back on the winning trail at Wincanton tomorrow.

The Paul Nicholls-trained 12-year-old must win if he is to have any hope of repeating his 1999 success in the Tote Cheltenham Gold Cup next month.

And to help his cause, the blinkers - which he has warn in nearly every race since that famous win almost three years ago - will be back on tomorrow after being left off for his previous run when he was pulled up in the Coral Welsh National.

Joe Tizzard has been booked to take the mount in tomorrow`s Country Gentlemen`s Association Jim Ford Chase, his first ride on the horse since the pairing finished third in the 1999 Pillar Chase.

His three opponents are Upgrade, Berlin Blue and Kadou Nonantais.

'He has the blinkers back on tomorrow, they make a big difference to him at home,' Nicholls said.

'He seems in good order and I think he will take all the beating.'

See More Business looks favoured by the race conditions and appears to hold a clear advantage over his rivals at the weights.

'Clearly it will be very disappointing if he can`t win,' explained Barry Simpson, racing manager to the gelding`s joint-owner Sir Robert Ogden.

'We are taking one race at a time with him but he`d have to win for the Gold Cup to be considered.

'Jockey arrangements were decided after discussion between the owners and Paul Nicholls, although I think it`s fair to say that Mick Fitzgerald would have been riding if he hadn`t have been going to Huntingdon.

'The blinkers were left off last time because we wanted to drop him in to help him get the trip.

'That was a disappointing run but on his first run of the season at Chepstow he still seemed to have his old ability.'

Timmy Murphy is due to return from injury in time to partner Smurfit Champion Hurdle hope Azertyuiop for Nicholls in the Axminster Carpets Hurdle on the same card.

The five-year-old, who was cut from 33-1 to 25-1 by Ladbrokes today for next month`s hurdling championship, will be having his first run since disappointing behind Landing Light at Kempton over Christmas.

Murphy has not ridden since pulling a muscle in his shoulder at Fontwell on Monday, but has been receiving intensive physiotherapy and is keen to make a return.

He will ride out for Nicholls tomorrow morning and if all goes well, will take his three booked rides at Wincanton.

Azertyuiop faces some stiff opposition tomorrow from the likes of Tote Gold Trophy winner Copeland, 2000 Champion Hurdle runner-up Hors La Loi III, and from the Philip Hobbs-trained Brother Joe, who is taking an experimental step down in trip to two miles.

Brother Joe, who is owned by Sir Robert Ogden, has four possible engagements at the Cheltenham Festival, including both the Stayers` Hurdle and the Champion Hurdle.

Bookmakers William Hill make Brother Joe a 14-1 for the Stayers`.