Taunton preview: Hat-trick beckons for Modus

David Metcalf | December 30, 2015

Modus has looked a top notch prospect in winning both his starts over the obstacles, so can make his class tell to give weight all-round and land the hat-trick in the 2m 3f novices’ hurdle at Taunton today (13.45).

The gelding has some very smart bumper form to his name when trained by Robert Stephens, finishing second to Moon Racer 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 five-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 this venue last month.

Modus makes moves around Taunton track

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.

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.

Judged on the manner of those successes, Modus looks an ideal type for the 2016 Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, and he is currently 16/1 with Coral for that contest.