MODUS might be the value in the JLT Novices’ Chase, which kicks off day three of the Cheltenham Festival.
By his own high standards, Paul Nicholls hasn’t had the best of seasons and doesn’t have as many entries as normal at this year’s Festival. But the former champion trainer believes he’s found the right race for his charge, a 156-rated hurdler who travels strongly in his races and normally jumps well (his only defeat over fences came when falling at Exeter). Ditcheat still houses some very classy National Hunt horses and you can get 8/1 against Modus, who has run well at Cheltenham in the past.
JLT Novices’ Chase Current Best Odds
Invitation Only 3/1, Terrefort 4/1, Finian’s Oscar and Benatar 7/1, Modus 8/1, Shattered Love 17/2, Bigmartre and Snow Falcon 16/1, Kemboy 20/1, West Approach 40/1
Trainer Jedd O’Keeffe has faced some battles of his own in the past and his stable star SAM SPINNER is cast in the same mould. A dream ride for Joe Colliver, the stayer announced his arrival on the big stage when making all in the Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot in December, beating a few of his rivals in the Sun Bets Stayers’ Hurdle in the process.
Costing a mere £12,000, it’s a big day for connections as the six-year-old starts favourite for a Grade 1 contest at the Cheltenham Festival but the gelding has become a tough nut to crack when he has his conditions – ground on the heavy side of soft – and can justify a general quote of 4/1 ahead of the more-exposed Festival regulars Supasundae and Yanworth.
UN DE SCEAUX and LAURINA can give the Willie Mullins/Ruby Walsh combination yet another double in the Ryanair Chase and Trull House Stud Mares’ Novice Hurdle respectively but the three handicaps on Thursday’s card look less straightforward.
That said, Patrick Mullins looks to have a fine chance of his own double on MALL DINI in Fulke Walwyn Challenge Cup Kim Muir Amateur Riders’ Handicap Chase. The Irish amateur won Tuesday’s National Hunt Chase on Rathvinden and now partners a former Festival winner who was fifth in the race last year under Katie Walsh and has been lightly raced since, though the general 5/1 is giving nothing away. Others with similar claims at bigger odds include Final Nudge (25/1 with William Hill) and Missed Approach, a general 12/1.
It’s lucky pin time with the regards to the Pertemps Network Final and Brown Advisory & Merriebelle Stable Plate Handicap Chase but DRUMCLIFF is better than he showed last time at Warwick over a trip too short and could reward each-way support at 25/1 with William Hill in the latter.
