MO

Nicholls ace can show his rivals clean pair of heels

MODUS is fancied to make a successful seasonal return in the Randox Health Handicap Chase (3.10) at Cheltenham this afternoon.

As a novice chaser, the Paul Nicholls trainee scored on three of his first four assignments, landing the odds at Bangor and Wincanton before a fall at Exeter – but getting back on track with a threelength margin at Kempton in February.

Modus wasn’t up to the task when moving up to the top level at Cheltenham and Aintree in the spring. He finished eighth in the JLT Novices’ Chase and fifth in the Manifesto Novices’ Chase, on each occasion finishing last of those to complete.

But the handicapper has given my selection a chance with a handicap mark of 146, which is 10lb lower than his hurdles mark.

Decent jumping ground is a big plus for Barry Geraghty’s mount, who has more to offer in his second campaign over the larger obstacles.

His subsequent form was up and down, but won the handicap chase (2.00) in style 12 months ago and is fancied for a repeat.

The failure of Nigel TwistonDavies’ eightyear-old to add to that four-length supremacy means he is just 2lb higher in the weights this time around and the Cotswolds handler’s current strike-rate of one in five is another plus.

Like Twiston-Davies, Philip Hobbs is banging in the winners and has conditions in his favour in the Masterson Holdings Hurdle (2.35).

Breathing surgery worked the oracle for on his debut for Dan Skelton at Uttoxeter at the beginning of the month and another good run is on the cards in the Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle (3.45).

At Newbury, a penalty for victory in the same grade at Newbury last month may not be enough to anchor

in the Teddington British Legion Stakes Royal

(2.20).

Later, who had plenty in hand on rain-softened terrain at Goodwood on his racecourse bow, is expected to remain unbeaten by claiming the Molson Coors Stakes (2.50).

At Doncaster, is on a roll as he steps up in grade for the Listed Hilton Garden Inn Doncaster Stakes (1.45), while For more control over your bets try Betfair’s Add places to your each-way bet for a better chance of winning or remove places to win bigger

gets the vote in the handicap (3.25).