ATOURS' prospects of run fling in next month's Smurfit Champion Hurdle were yesterday described as "not looking good" after it was revealed he had suffered another setback.
David Elsworth faces a race against time to prepare the gelding for the race at Cheltenham a fortnight to day for which he had been quoted as short as 8 to 1 by Ladbrokes before suffering an injury.
"Atours had been making brilliant progress until last Thursday," explained a stable spokeswoman. "From not being able to stand on Sunday he was walking and everyone was amazed by his progress.
"But as he was being led back in high spirits on Thursday he jumped and kicked and he is back to square one he may have pulled the muscle again. It is not looking too good for the Champion Hurdle at the moment."
Atours, seventh in the Champion Hurdle last season, gained his third win of the current campaign in the Agfa Hurdle at Sandown three weeks ago but was forced to miss last week's intended clash with Alderbrook due to his setback.
Whether or not the eight year old recovers in time, Elsworth will still be strongly represented in the £175,000 added race. Absalom's Lady and Oh So Risky are reported "on course" for Cheltenham.
And former Christmas Hurdle winner Muse could still take his chance after finishing 25 lengths fifth to Alderbrook at Kempton on Saturday on his first outing since the 1993/4 season.
The British Horse racing Board yesterday made the B I Group Cheltenham Festival Bumper a five day closing race in order to maximise opportunities to qualify for the race.
Under the original conditions runners needed to have finished in the first four in a National. Hunt Flat race by this Saturday to qualify for Cheltenham.
But with 28 such events lost to the weather since the start of last December, the BHB has decided to amend the conditions of the March 13th race. As a five day, closing event, contestants will have until March 6th to fulfil the entry conditions.
Sound Man, current favourite for the Queen Mother Champion Chase, heads the standings for the Murphy's chaser of the year award after his easy victory at Ascot recently.
The Edward O'Grady trained gelding is four points clear of Gold Cup favourite One Man but, as Grade One races at the Cheltenham Festival count double, there is still all to play for in this category.
Collier Bay, Dance Beat, Doran's Pride and Silver Wedge are joint leaders for Boddington's hurdler of the year.
Senor El Betrutti heads the Mackeson novice chaser of the year while Shining Edge and Zabadi currently top the Castle Eden Juvenile Hurdle category.
