Rheu has chase option at Aintree Saphir Du Rheu will be given options over both hurdles and fences at Aintree's Grand National meeting. After falling on two of his first three starts over fences, the Paul Nicholls-trained gelding reverted to the smaller obstacles to win the Cleeve Hurdle at Cheltenham in January to set up a World Hurdle tilt at the Festival. The six-year-old was sent off favourite to carry the Stewart family silks made famous by Big Buck's to Cheltenham glory, but he came up just short, filling the runner-up spot behind all-the-way winner Cole Harden, and a lthough Saphir Du Rheu's immediate target is uncertain, owner Andy Stewart sees his long-term future back over fences. He said: "He'll be entered in the three-mile hurdle at Aintree (Liverpool Hurdle) that Big Buck's won four times and the three-mile novice chase, which Big Buck's also won, actually. "He ran very well at Cheltenham to finish second and I was very pleased for Warren Greatrex, who won the race with Cole Harden. "Saphir Du Rheu is more of a Celestial Halo than a Big Buck's over hurdles, but he could be a top-class chaser if he stops fluffing his lines. "If he were to run over hurdles at Aintree and win, then myself and Paul would have to put our heads together for next season, but I think he will probably jump fences."
