RACING: Again is set to try once more

Granville Again, winner of the 1993 Champion Hurdle, may attempt a repeat victory for the Martin Pipe stable at Cheltenham on 14 March, the trainer said at Taunton yesterday.

Pipe said his Bold Boss and Jazilah may also run. "At this stage all three of my horses could be in the line-up. But I'd prefer it if the ground dried up a bit," he added.

Granville Again has had just one race this season - finishing tailed- off at Cheltenham 12 weeks ago. Bold Boss has been off the track since winning in November 1993. Jazilah was well beaten behind Alderbrook at Wincanton a week ago.

Alderbrook's jockey, Norman Williamson, yesterday came close to being banned from riding at Cheltenham for a second successive year. Taunton's stewards gave him a three-day ban (10-12 March) for careless riding on Jason's Boy. Had he been found guilty today instead of yesterday, he would have missed the ride on Alderbrook in the Champion Hurdle.

n Five top jockeys went on trial in France yesterday, along with 19 other people, charged with the use or sale of cocaine and heroin. Four of the riders admitted using drugs, saying it helped them lose weight. But one of the five, Eric Saint-Martin, 29, the son of French racing legend Yves Saint-Martin, has denied ever using or selling drugs.