Quel Destin enhances Triumph claims after spirited Finale victory

There was yet more festive cheer for the Paul Nicholls team as Quel Destin battled bravely to edge Adjali in a thrilling finish to the Grade 1 Finale Juvenile Hurdle on Thursday.

Sam Twiston-Davies’ mount led the field of five around a wet Chepstow while the odds-on favourite Adjali tracked him in second.

Adjali and rider Daryl Jacob, who had won last year's contest aboard We Have A Dream, travelled strongly and drew upsides the long-time leader approaching the penultimate hurdle, but as Jacob asked the 4-6 chance to go and win the race, the resilient Quel Destin fought back and eventually came out on top by a neck.

The pair finished 22 lengths ahead of third-placed Arverne, with Tazka and De Bruyne Horse further behind.

Quel Destin (right): putting his head down in battleCredit: Alan Crowhurst

Nicholls and Twiston-Davies also landed the bumper on the card with Ask For Glory and so along with two winners at Kempton, the in-form trainer bettered the three winners he had enjoyed on Boxing Day highlighted by Clan Des Obeaux's King George triumph.

Assistant trainer Harry Derham said: "I'm absolutely made up, he's just a very, very tough horse and, on that run, I'd say he's still improving.

"He came out of Doncaster great. It was a bit of a risk coming here just ten days later but he had eaten well and looked so fantastic we thought we'd take our chance."

He added: "I imagine we'll be quiet with him now and just have a run somewhere before the Triumph and go from there."

Watch Quel Destin's victory here

Quel Destin, who has now won four times for Martin Broughton and his fellow owners, was cut to a general 10-1 (from 20) for the JCB Triumph Hurdle, for which he now shares favouritism with Sir Erec, a winner earlier in the afternoon at Leopardstown. Adjali was eased by Ladbrokes and Coral to 16-1 (from 10).

For Twiston-Davies it was another Grade 1 victory in Broughton's green and red colours and for former boss Nicholls, with owners, trainer and jockey having combined so successfully with 2015 Champion Chase hero Dodging Bullets.

Twiston-Davies said: "I can put a photo of him next to my Dodging Bullets one! It was a pleasure to be asked to ride him.

"He's a bit lazy so you're always asking him for a little bit more. When I looked up and saw the three-furlong pole I thought, 'There's a long way to go to be in top gear already', but he's a very brave and honest horse and put up a good fight there."

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