Paul Nicholls: Don’t forget Saphir Du Rheu

Paul Nicholls has warned punters not to leave Saphir Du Rheu out of calculations for the Ryanair World Hurdle at Cheltenham next month.

The seven-year-old was runner-up to Cole Harden in the three-mile contest last season and while connections had hoped to pursue a Gold Cup bid this term, a comprehensive defeat in the Hennessy at Newbury forced them to revert to the smaller obstacles.

The switch failed to make an immediate impact as Saphir Du Rheu finished well behind red-hot World Hurdle favourite Thistlecrack in the Long Walk at Ascot in December, but the champion trainer feels his charge could at least close the gap on a sounder surface.