See More Business plans on hold

Connections of See More Business will carefully consider their options before deciding where the veteran performer runs next.

The Paul Nicholls-trained 13-year-old disappointed in the John Hughes Rehearsal Chase at Chepstow yesterday where he finished a distant fourth behind Sir Rembrandt.

See More Business was bidding for a fourth win in the race after taking it in 1997, 1998 and 2002.

Barry Simpson, racing manager to owner Sir Robert Ogden, was quick to pay tribute to the winner but felt their were excuses for the performance of their charge.

“The ground was probably fast enough for him and he just wasn’t able to dominate. He had Bindaree up alongside him which put pressure on him and his jumping,” he said.

“We will see how he comes out of the race before we decide on plans but it’s fair to say that his next run will be on softer ground than yesterday.

“He came up against two very good horses in Keen Leader and Sir Rembrandt and he would have had to have been at his very best to beat them.

“Sir Rembrandt was really impressive and he looks a very good horse.”

Ogden also owns Iris Royal who is entered for Saturday’s Tripleprint Gold Cup at Cheltenham.

The seven-year-old gelding, who is handled by Nicky Henderson, has had two outings so far this year.

He kicked off with a win at Sandown before following up in the First National Gold Cup at Ascot last time.

Simpson said: “He’s got lots of options so he wouldn’t be a definite runner on Saturday.

“He’s a two-and-a-half to three-mile horse and he will be confirmed for the Tripleprint on Monday. It will depend on Nicky’s plans then as he has a few in including Fondmort, so we’ll see what he’s doing.”

Should Fondmort run he would carry top weight of 11st 11lb with Iris Royal shouldering 10st 7lb.

However, should the weights go up in the extended two-and-a-half mile event, Simpson would not be keen to run.

“We might have to think then as he’s only a small horse and we wouldn’t want him carrying a big weight in a competitive race like that,” he added.