Modus ran out a comprehensive winner of the 32Red Lanzarote Hurdle at Kempton on Saturday.

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.

Geraghty appeared keen to hold onto his mount for as long as possible a 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."

SCOTTISH WINNER

Meanwhile at Warwick, there was a Scottish winner of the Betfred Classic Chase as the Lucinda Russell-trained One For Arthur scored under Derek Fox.

Lucinda Russell's charge impressed on his seasonal reappearance at Kelso in October before finishing a close-up fifth in the Becher Chase over Aintree's Grand National fences.

Switched back to regulation obstacles for this three-mile-five-furlong slog, One For Arthur was given a very patient ride by Derek Fox, while 2013 winner Rigadin De Beauchene set the pace. Indeed, he did well to stay in the race and was left out the back when hampered by the early fall of Kaki De La Pree.

One For Arthur was still nearer last than first racing down the back straight, but began to take closer order after jumping the fourth fence from the finish as the pacesetter began to falter.

Goodtoknow moved to the front rounding the home turn, with the likes of Mountainous, Shotgun Paddy and Viva Steve attempting to throw down their challenges, but 14/1 shot One For Arthur covered the move and hit the front at the second-last fence.

Staying on strongly, he began to assert on the run to the final obstacle and a huge leap sealed a six-length success.

Goodtoknow (25/1) was second ahead of 2014 winner and 7/1 favourite Shotgun Paddy in third. Houblon Des Obeaux (14/1) kept on from the rear to snatch fourth place, just ahead of Knockanrawley and the tiring Rigadin de Beauchene.

Having proven himself already over the fences, the Randox Health Grand National looks an obvious target for the winner.

Fox said: "The plan was to be a bit handier, but in those big fields he's a bit slow away from the start.

"He jumps so well and he's just jumped his way into it. We decided to put the tongue-tie on him and I think it's made a big difference. I think the Grand National is made for him."

Russell, having her first winner at Warwick, said: "He's some horse, he really is. I'm so delighted and he jumped super.

"I'm delighted for Derek. He's such a great help in the yard and such a great horseman, he deserves all the credit.

"He was unfortunate in the Becher Chase. He got shuffled back that day, ended up out the back and stayed on for fifth place.

"When he got hampered at the second fence, I thought the same was going to happen again, but Derek took his time and let him get back in the race.

"If he goes up in the handicap, he might go for the Grand National. If not, he's definitely a National horse next year. He's got to be an Aintree horse."

Runner-up Goodtoknow was one of three in the race for trainer Kerry Lee along with Mountainous (seventh) and last year's winner Russe Blanc (ninth).

"I'm absolutely delighted (with Goodtoknow) and he proved he gets the trip," said Lee. "We really have the Grand National in our sights for him, but we need to improve to get up the handicap for that.

"He was jumping a little to the right so I might take him to Sandown. The old Whitbread (bet365 Gold Cup) at the end of the season might be right up his street."

Noel Fehily was taken to hospital for checks on his shoulder after his nasty early fall from Kaki De La Pree.

He got to his feet, albeit looking a little shaken with a cut to his nose, but was replaced in the final race by Sean Bowen.

Clerk of the course Jane Hedley said: "Noel has gone to hospital for a precautionary X-ray on a suspected shoulder injury."

WILLOUGHBY WINS

On the same card Willoughby Court galloped his rivals into submission in the Neptune Investment Management Novices' Hurdle.

Successful twice in the bumper sphere last season and an all-the-way winner on his second jumping start over this course and distance last month, Ben Pauling's charge was an 11/4 chance stepped up to Grade 2 level.

Jockey David Bass appeared keen to ensure the two-mile-five-furlong contest was a searching test of stamina, allowing Willoughby Court to bowl along at the head of affairs from flag-fall.

The six-year-old jumped well in the main and Bass upped the ante by asking Willoughby Court for a big leap five flights from the finish, which he produced.

He had all of his rivals in trouble from the home turn and safely negotiated the remaining two obstacles to seal an impressive eight-length success.

Peter Fahey's raider Peregrine Run, bidding for a fifth successive win, was second at the top of the home straight, but was eventually beaten to the runner-up spot by Gayebury.

Bass said of the winner: "He was really impressive. I can't believe how much he's improved from the run here before.

"He got into a really good rhythm and on this ground he's relentless. He just gallops and jumps.

"He's an improving horse, so I wouldn't be surprised if he could handle better conditions as well.

"Fair play to Ben, he really fancied him."

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