Azertyuiop 3/4/1997 Baby Turk – Tamara (Fr) (Rex Magna (Fr))
Paul Nicholls wrested the champion trainers crown from Martin Pipe in 2006 thus ending a period of complete domination by the team from Castleshayne. One of the key components of the rise in the fortunes of the Nicholl’s yard has been his recruits from France through bloodstock agent Anthony Bromley.
Azertyuiop, the horse with the near unpronounceable name was one to come by this route. A four time winner in France he was a high class hurdler but chasing was always ultimately going to be his game.
On his first start in this country he won the Axminster Hurdle at Wincanton in February 2001, beating the subsequent Champion Hurdler Hors La Loi. The following season he won the Elite Hurdle, a Grade 2, at Wincanton but following a disappointing run in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton he was found to be coughing and his form tailed off that season with defeats in his remaining two runs.
He found his true calling when sent over fences and in this sphere he won 8 of his 15 starts, finishing runner up on 4 occasions. The only real blemish on his record was when he unseated his rider at the very first fence in the 2003 Haldon Chase at Exeter but that apart he combined speed with agility and his jumping was fluent.
His impressive victory in the 2003 Arkle where he accounted for Impek and Isio stamped him as a future contender for the Champion Chase, won that season by the great Moscow Flyer. The following season Azrtyuiop won the Game Spirit Chase at Newbury beating his stable companion Armaturk by 12 lengths and his head to head with Moscow Flyer at the Cheltenham Festival was eagerly awaited. The big race was something of an anti climax when the Irish raider unseated 4 out leaving Azertyuiop with a bloodless victory.
By the start of the 2004/5 season another top 2 mile chaser had emerged in the shape of the Martin Pipe trained Well Chief, who had won the 2004 Arkle, beating Kicking king who was to go on to Gold Cup glory the season after. A mouthwatering 3 way battle for the top honours looked on the cards between Nicholl’s star, Moscow Flyer and Well Chief.
Azertyuiop started the season by winning the Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter. The first clash between the big 3 was the Tingle Creek at Sandown at the start of December. Moscow Flyer might have ben approaching the veteran stage but he had the measure of the younger pair here, prevailing by a length and a half. Azertyuiop just held off the gutsy Well Chief for third.
Rather surprisingly Azertyuiop then went for the King George, possibly against his trainer’s better judgement. Although he didn’t stay his undoubted class won him third place behind Kicking King and Kingscliffe.
Azertyuiop, back at 2 miles, accounted for the 6 year old Well Chief in the Game Spirit Chase at Newbury with an exemplary round of quick and accurate jumping. The “holy trinity” as they were nicknamed headed for Cheltenham and the top prize for 2 mile chasers, the Queen Mother Champion Chase. This proved a disappointment for Azertyuiop. Never gong well, he left his trailing leg in the water and was not able to get competitive. Leaving his old rival Moscow Flyer to come home in front of Well Chief.
Five weeks later, on the last day of the season at Sandown, Azertyuiop was not at his best, and was beaten by Well Chief and that proved to be his last race. He had apparently struck into himself during the Sandown race and injury prevented him from returning to action throughout the 2005/6 season. In the summer of 2006 connections were not happy with his fitness and a decision was taken that the best thing for the horse would be to retire him.
His owner was quoted as saying: "It's sad news but it's also a relief because he would not have been able to perform to the level he showed before his injury."
Azertyuiop won 11 of his 22 starts over fences including the 2003 Arkle Trophy at Cheltenham, as well as the Queen Mother Champion Chase the following season.
My lasting memory of Azertyuiop though is his tremendous battle with another another ex French horse, Isio, in the Victor Chandler Chase at Ascot. In a driving finish Azertyuiop only went down by a neck close home, despite conceding 19lbs to his useful rival.
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