Modus wins Lanzarote Hurdle for Paul Nicholls and Barry Geraghty
Having run well in a couple of top handicaps already this season Modus deservedly got his head in front at Kempton under Barry Geraghty
MODUS ran out a comprehensive winner of the 32Red Lanzarote Hurdle at Kempton.
The Paul Nicholls-trained seven-year-old was a 7-1 chance for this fiercely-competitive handicap and travelled well throughout the two-mile-five-furlong contest in the hands of Barry Geraghty.
Modus has not always produced at the business end of his races, and Geraghty appeared keen to hold onto his mount for as long as possible.
The positively-ridden Templeross, bidding to complete a hat-trick for the afternoon for trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies, held the advantage rounding the home turn, but Modus was moving ominously well in behind and hit the front two flights from the finish.
Templeross did his best to make a race of it, but Modus had plenty in hand and skipped over the last to seal a two-and-three-quarter-length success.
Templeross was a clear second ahead of Lord Of The Island in third. Previously unbeaten 11-2 favourite Doesyourdogbite was under pressure a long way from home and finished well-beaten.
Geraghty said: "Harry (Derham, assistant trainer) texted me during the week and felt that stepping up in trip on soft ground, he could be keen, so he suggested putting the hood back on and it worked well.
"He seemed to lack the pace in his last race at Ascot, so I was happy enough he'd get the trip today.
"He travelled well and I wasn't sure how much I had under the hood, but in fairness he kept going well.
"It was a good, solid performance."
