Saphir Du Rheu worth a wager in West Yorkshire Hurdle at Wetherby

Saphir Du Rheu odds appeal at Wetherby

Saphir Du Rheu has some top class form to his name, so looks worth a wager at 4/1 with Coral to make a winning return to action in the Grade 2 West Yorkshire Hurdle over 3m at Wetherby on Saturday (14:45).

Trained by Paul Nicholls, the seven-year-old has won five of his 13 starts over hurdles and also run very well to finish in the frame on three occasions.

His victories include a game neck success over Reve De Sivola in the 2015 running of the Grade 2 Cleeve Hurdle at Cheltenham. Saphir Du Rheu backed that up with a cracking second of 16 to Cole Harden in the Grade 1 World Hurdle at the Festival.

The gelding stuck to the task well in the latter to be beaten 3 1/4 lengths. Moreover, that form reads extremely well in the context of this lower grade contest.

Stunning success at Aintree

Saphir Du Rheu went on to round off the campaign with a stunning display over fences when romping to a 15-length success in a Grade 1 at Aintree. He then looked as good as ever on seasonal reappearance last year when easily landing a Listed chase at Carlisle.

The son of Al Namix was sent off favourite for the Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury on the back of the latter and was far from disgraced in finishing fifth of 15 to Smad Place.

Saphir Du Rheu then failed to shine in four subsequent starts over hurdles and fences, but those performances left connections baffled.

However, owner Andy Stewart reports him to be back in the groove and ready for this assignment. Once rated as high as 165 over hurdles, Saphir Du Rheu is undoubtedly the one to beat on the pick of his back form.

Well-suited race conditions adds to appeal among West Yorkshire Hurdle tips

Nicholls’ stable could certainly not be in any better form at present and the Ditcheat handler is the master at getting horses that have seemingly lost their way back on track.

Saphir Du Rheu is also versatile as regards ground and the fact that he won so impressively first time up last season suggests a 189-day absence to overcome should not be an issue.

Another big plus is that the selection is well-suited by the race conditions, as he receives 4lb from last season’s Grade 1 winning novices Ballyoptic and Unowhatimeanharry.

Siding with Saphir Du Rheu odds thus make sense from among West Yorkshire Hurdle tips.

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