Call Me Lord given chance to stake Champion Hurdle claim in Contenders

1.50 Sandown
Betway Contenders Hurdle (Listed) | 2m | 4yo+ | ITV4/RTV

Call Me Lord puts his Champion Hurdle credentials on the line and trainer Nicky Henderson is optimistic his runner can pass this examination in the Sandown mud.

Although the seven-year-old managed just a couple of racecourse appearances last term, he has shown he is definitely no back number in two outings this season, the last of which brought victory over Ballyandy in the Grade 2 International at Cheltenham in December.

Henderson, who has won five recent renewals of this race, said: “He had a few niggling little problems last year but we've had a clear run with him this time around. He has done nothing wrong so far this season and loves it around Sandown. We actually thought he only went right-handed until he won at Cheltenham last time.

“He's versatile distance-wise as he gets two and a half miles but is also very effective at two miles. He's in the Champion Hurdle next month but what happens at Sandown will tell us whether we go there or consider something else. The options are open with him.”

'Decent chance' for Eldorado

The relatively unexposed Eldorado Allen will be having only his sixth career start and bypasses a tilt at the Betfair Hurdle next Saturday to take his chance in Listed company for the first time.

The six-year-old is trained by Colin Tizzard, whose son and assistant Joe said: “He's entered in the Betfair but we've decided on this race as he's getting a bit of weight off Call Me Lord and that gives him a very decent chance.

“This looks a nice opportunity with just five runners as he has definitely improved a lot for his comeback run. I think he'll be competitive as he likes Sandown and whatever he does will give us a proper guide to where we might go next with him.”

'Soft ground and stiff track will suit' Destin

Quel Destin has proved himself on heavy ground and trainer Paul Nicholls feels he deserves to take his chance even though he has a bit to find at the weights with Call Me Lord and Eldorado Allen.

He said: ”It's quite hard for horses like him in their second season with a mark of 150 but he's been running okay all the same and the soft ground and stiff track will suit him well. I think he'll run quite tidy but he's a chaser in the making and we won’t see the best of him until next autumn.”

Looking ahead, Nicholls added: “Cheltenham is not the be-all and end-all for horses like him and, depending how he runs, there's every chance he could go for the National Spirit Hurdle at Fontwell in a few weeks' time and then we'll think about a little spring campaign.”

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