Greatwood Handicap Hurdle tips: Nicholls and Cobden a winning combo with Modus

Greatwood Handicap Hurdle tips: Modus odds say he’ll shine

Sunday brings The Open meeting at Cheltenham to a close and Modus odds look likely to send backers out on a high in the feature, the Greatwood Handicap Hurdle (14:30).

Champion trainer Paul Nicholls made the right move when pairing jockey Harry Cobden with his hope Old Guard in this race 12 months ago, and he looks to repeat the feat when giving him the ride of Modus here.

The six-year-old gelding already boasts wins over both track and trip, claiming the verdict at Prestbury Park over 1m 6f on New Year’s Day 2014, beating nearest finisher Adeupas D’ycy by 13 lengths.

It was plain to see from that effort Modus would handle a step up in trip without fuss and did just that when scoring over 2m in a novices hurdle at Newbury 12 months ago.

Festival forms stands out

Modus also boasts Cheltenham Festival pedigree, the peak of his form, when finishing runner-up behind Moon Racer in the Grade 1 Champion Bumper in 2015, then running for Robert Stephens.

It’s fair to say that the selection hasn’t quite lived up to the early hype that was created around him, but he’s mixed it in stylish company and gets weight from rivals Winter Escape and the re-opposing Sternrubin.

With Cobden back in the saddle, that rates as another positive for punters and Modus is sure to be popular in the betting ring at a punter-friendly price.