National Spirit next as Quel Destin upsets Call Me Lord in Contenders

Quel Destin (right): defeats Call Me Lord (left) at SandownCredit: Edward Whitaker

It's all about next season over fences for Quel Destin but that didn't stop him plundering the Listed Betway Contenders Hurdle at Sandown and champion trainer Paul Nicholls thinks he could land another valuable prize over hurdles before the season is out.

Rated 10lb inferior to Call Me Lord, Quel Destin sprinted away from the odds-on favourite to win by three lengths for owner Martin Broughton and friends, with Nicholls predicting more improvement to follow.

"I just thought that, although he'd enjoy the ground, he might come on a bit for this run," said the trainer, who has now placed the five-year-old to win seven times from just 12 starts for the yard.

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Racing Post staff

Published on 1 February 2020inReports

Last updated 20:19, 1 February 2020

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