Soft ground no hindrance to Sam Spinner as O'Keeffe looks to put record straight

Jedd O'Keeffe must be among the few people not complaining about the prolonged wet spell, for while soft ground is not a prerequisite for Saturday's Ryanair Stayers' Hurdle favourite Sam Spinner it certainly won't be a disadvantage.

Sam Spinner looked very much at home in heavy ground at Haydock in November and followed up by beating L'Ami Serge on good to soft in the Grade 1 Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot. He was only fifth when favourite for the Stayers' Hurdle at Cheltenham, but the ground was not to blame.

O'Keeffe, who has nurtured Sam Spinner through the ranks, aided by jockey Joe Colliver, said: "We've never been obsessed by the ground with Sam Spinner, as we think he's pretty versatile, but we didn't really want good ground and so we're certainly happy with the rain around.

Jedd O'Keefe with Sam Spinner at his Middleham yardCredit: Louise Pollard

"He's in fabulous shape and seemed to take Cheltenham really well. He's an easy horse to train and an easy horse to keep fit, so we've just been ticking him over."

Reflecting on Cheltenham, O'Keeffe said: "It was a special day for us, and we were thrilled to finish fifth in such a good race, but we did come away firmly believing we were capable of better.

"Basically, it wasn't enough of a stamina test for us, and we weren't able to make it more of one. Joe felt the horse was just a bit inexperienced and could have done with more company up front in order to be more engaged in a stronger pace. Ideally we'd like some company on Saturday, or maybe something to give us a lead until we get into a nice, strong rhythm."

O'Keeffe is confident Sam Spinner will be seen to better effect and, while he respects his opponents, who look set to be headed by Stayers' Hurdle third Wholestone, he is delighted there are at least two notable absentees.

He said: "I'm glad Penhill isn't coming over, as I was very impressed at how he picked up from the back of the field at Cheltenham in a race not run to suit him, and it's good news too that Supasundae is declared for Thursday's race.

"It looks as if Wholestone will run, but I'm hoping we can reverse the form with a stronger gallop. I think he has a really good chance."

Lord Yeats (centre): has entries at Navan and Newbury for his seasonal debutCredit: Edward Whitaker

O'Keeffe also had news of his star Flat horse Lord Yeats, whose return has been delayed by the cancellation of Wednesday's meeting at Nottingham.

He said: "He would have run in the Further Flight Stakes but he also has an entry at Navan a week on Sunday and he'll be in what used to be the John Porter at Newbury, the Jockey Club Stakes at Newmarket and the Yorkshire Cup.

"We didn't see the best of him after his good Listed win at Newmarket last summer and we're very much hoping there's still better to come. He's training great and showing us plenty."

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