Nicholls warns against writing off Saphir

Paul Nicholls says it would be foolish to discount Saphir Du Rheu from the Ryanair World Hurdle reckoning, claiming he will improve.

The seven-year-old has failed to demonstrate the kind of form which saw him push Cole Harden all the way in last season’s World Hurdle, disappointing on his last two outings.

Saphir Du Rheu was sent off as the favourite for the Hennessy Gold Cup in November but came home in fifth, while he was 30 lengths behind Thistlecrack in the Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot in December, his last outing.

On both occasions the ground was on the soft side and Nicholls feels that with good ground he could well play a big part in the outcome of the World Hurdle, having proven himself in better conditions last year.

Nicholls said: “Saphir Du Rheu will be seen in a completely different light on better ground and is a big player. We haven’t seen the best of him.”