Sam Twiston-Davies© Photo Healy Racing
Paul Nicholls has announced that Sam Twiston-Davies will ride The New One in the Stan James Champion Hurdle and Saphir Du Rheu in the Ryanair World Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.
Twiston-Davies faced a tricky decision with Nicholls' Old Guard making great strides on the Champion Hurdle scene this season, choosing to partner him over The New One, who is trained by his father Nigel, in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton.
That was the first time he had not ridden The New One in his career, but the pair were back together for a win at Haydock in January and he has stayed loyal to his old friend.
His choice in the World Hurdle was more complicated with Aux Ptits Soins not having run since landing the Coral Cup last season while Saphir Du Rheu, second in the race last year, has had a mixed season.
He has gone for Andy Stewart's Saphir Du Rheu, though, after a racecourse gallop at the weekend.
"I was thrilled by the way Saphir Du Rheu and Aux Ptits Soins worked together at Kempton," Nicholls told his website.
"They showed they are bang on course for the World Hurdle, in which Saphir Du Rheu finished second a year ago.
"They both looked great and Sam has just phoned me and thought about it over the weekend and said he is going to ride Saphir Du Rheu so Nick Scholfield will be on Aux Ptits Soins.
"Also, Sam has revealed that he is going to stick with The New One in the Champion Hurdle so, therefore, Nick Scholfield will be on Old Guard."
