My Stable: Hennessy meeting eyecatchers from Newbury

Our eagle-eyed Ben Linfoot and Will Hayler select six horses they spotted from last week's action at Newbury and elsewhere.

Modus (Paul Nicholls)

One of the most interesting contests of the Hennessy meeting was, for me, the opening novice hurdle of the whole shebang, in which Modus finally cut down the battling Charmix with unknown quantity See The World (who won one of the most-ever-replayed bumpers last season, when stopping and starting again) well held in third. Barry Geraghty had to get more serious than some might have expected with Modus in order to get him home by a neck, but the every cloud has a silver lining and I just wonder if connections will already be thinking of the Betfair Hurdle route into the Supreme Novices' Hurdle taken by My Tent Or Yours in 2013. Another definite plus to take out of Thursday's run was that Modus jumped well in the main and settled quite nicely, despite the small field, and he will surely also be more effective back on a faster surface. It will be fascinating to see what happens next, but at a complete guess, I wonder if he might turn up in the opening novice hurdle at Kempton on Boxing Day. (WH)

Watch the free replay of Modus's victory at Newbury on Thursday November 26.

Wild Bill (Evan Williams)

To some extent, Wild Bill's future is in the hands of the handicapper after a cosy success on his second public appearance over fences at Doncaster on Friday, but it's just possible that even a rise of 12lb or more might not stop him, or that alternatively he could hold his own against the best novice chasers if connections choose to go in that direction. That Evan Williams expected him to improve for going over fences was made clear by the fact that he chose to pitch him into handicap company for both starts this season - clearly anticipating that a mark earned from a mixed bag of efforts over hurdles would prove lenient. But I've had a soft spot for this horse right from the start, ever since his intriguing second at Fakenham first time out, and he looked to have learned plenty from his past experiences as he ran rings around these rivals upped to three miles for the first time. He could still be anything. (WH)

Watch the free replay of Wild Bill's victory at Doncaster on Friday November 27.

Mon Successeur (Paul Nicholls)

Mon Successeur was 9lb higher here than when finishing second to Katachenko at Wetherby, but he still looks ahead of his mark and should be of interest even when reassessed again. Paul Nicholls' horse travelled really strongly and jumped well under Harry Cobden, who was still motionless deep into the contest. Rouge Et Blanc ultimately found more for Thomas Garner in first-time cheekpieces, making his experience count, but Mon Successeur is the one to take out of the race with just three British runs to his name. The pair pulled well clear of the rest and though the handicapper won't miss him (again), you can be sure Nicholls can place him to advantage sometime in the near future. (BL)

Watch the free replay of Mon Successeur finishing second at Newbury on Friday November 27.

The Last Samuri (Kim Bailey)

The Last Samuri ran well on his debut for Kim Bailey in the Rehearsal Chase up at Newcastle, running on again for third after being outpaced between the third and fourth last. He wasn't wearing the hood that he performed well in on his last few starts for Donald McCain, while he should also improve for this run and when stepped up in trip. Bailey was pleased with the run, saying in his blog that he'll be aimed at the Grand National if he can get him in. His current rating of 140 would be right on the cusp judging by this year's renewal, but with further improvement likely a tilt at the big one looks a realistic possibility. Whether or not he ends up in the National, The Last Samuri looks a staying chaser to monitor throughout the season. (BL)

Watch the free replay of The Last Samuri finishing third at Newcastle on Saturday November 28.

Ibis Du Rheu (Paul Nicholls)

On a day where virtually nothing came from behind, Ibis Du Rheu's effort in the bet365 Handicap Hurdle can be seriously marked up. Royal Guardsman made the running and was given a peach of a ride by Gavin Sheehan, just holding on by a head in the end in a frantic dash to the winning post as Ibis Du Rheu made inroads late on. Held up in last place by Sam Twiston-Davies, Ibis Du Rheu wasn't suited at all by how the race panned out and he can be considered an unlucky loser. A step up in trip should squeeze out more improvement in this half-brother to Saphir Du Rheu and he's going to be of interest when that happens, even off his revised mark. (BL)

Watch the free replay of Ibis Du Rheu finishing second at Newbury on Saturday November 28.

Bachasson (Willie Mullins)

In response to the rallying cry that the Royal Bond Novice Hurdle's Grade One status could be under threat, Willie Mullins pitched a couple of good'uns in against each other. It was interesting to unpick the post-race comments of the winning owner, trainer and jockey, but what struck me most after the race was that Mullins seemed more irked with Bachasson's defeat than he was pleased with Long Dog's success. Reading between the lines, I'm going to suggest that Walsh rode Long Dog on the basis that he is the better long-term prospect (the jockey himself said it had been a tough choice and that the going swung him towards the winner). At the line, it was a neck that separated the pair, but in another two strides the runner-up would have won - indeed he might have done in any case if he hadn't surrendered ground by going around the outside for the last three furlongs. He's not a big horse. Indeed, next to Long Dog, he looked a bit of a pony, and better ground will surely help. As such, he might have midwinter break now. But I have a funny feeling that come the big spring festivals, he could be under-rated. (WH)

Watch the free replay of Bachasson finishing second at Fairyhouse on Sunday November 29.