Modus primed for Betfair Hurdle battle at Newbury

David Metcalf | February 12, 2016

Modus can take advantage of what looks a lenient mark to make a winning handicap debut in the ultra-competitive Betfair Hurdle at Newbury (15.35).

The gelding has some very smart bumper form to his name when trained by Robert Stephens, finishing second to Moonracer at the Cheltenham Festival and a cracking third to Bellshill in a Grade 1 contest at Punchestown.

Modus was purchased by leading Irish owner JP McManus after those efforts and sent to champion trainer Paul Nicholls.

The six-year-old then opened his account for the Ditcheat handler at the first time of asking when easily landing a 2m 1f novice hurdle at Taunton.

After racing keenly in midfield, Modus made smooth headway at the sixth to challenge two from home and, after being shaken-up approaching the last, quickened effortlessly clear on the run-in to score with tons more in hand than the 3 3/4 length winning margin suggests.

Form of Newbury win has a strong look

Modus backed that up with a neck success over Charmix at Newbury, where he was given another confident ride by Barry Geraghty and scored with plenty up his sleeve.

The runner-up went on to score next time up and is now rated 145, and the pair pulled 24 lengths clear of the field to give the form a solid look.