Sam Spinner trainer Jed O’Keeffe has spoken of his desire to see his horse return to action at Aintree next month.
The 6-year-old went off amongst the favourites in the Stayers’ Hurdle on day four of the Cheltenham Festival, but could only summon a fifth place finish amongst what was a talented field.
Coming off a Grade One victory in late 2017 at Ascot, many had expected the horse to repeat his exploits at Prestbury Park.
O’Keeffe thought that Spinner did turn a good run, all the same:
I thought he ran very well but I don’t think he ran quite to his best,
I don’t think the way the race was run suited him as he would have appreciated some company in front.
With the Ryanair Stayers’ Hurdle the one many are tipping Sam Spinner for, his performance there could determine his future as a hurdler.
The plan is to go to Aintree, the track there will suit. Ideally we’d like some company up front so we can help force it with something else or have something to aim at.
We’ve still got the option of schooling him over a fence – we’re in two minds about that – as he’s still a very exciting prospect,
Sam Spinner sits as a gloriously powerful and talented horse, and however O’Keeffe decides to use him, he will surely be a major player in the horse racing world for years to come.
