Sam Spinner sprints home in style to make winning chase debut at Wetherby

Sam Spinner gave his supporters a fright before warming to his task and making a successful chase debut at Wetherby.

The Grade 1-winning hurdler, clapped out of his saddling box before the 2m3½f novice chase, appeared to be toiling in the back straight but came home strongly under regular rider Joe Colliver.

Jedd O'Keefe's stable star, winner of the 2017 Long Walk Hurdle and second to Paisley Park in last season's Stayers' Hurdle, traded at a high of 27-1 in-running on Betfair before eventually winning with authority from Beakstown.

"We were six lengths off them jumping the ditch down the back and I was a bit worried but once he got to their tails I knew he would stay well," said Colliver.

"He got in tight to a couple of fences but it will do him the world of good and he jumped well in the home straight. Hopefully chasing will be his game and he might be even better over fences."

Coral make Sam Spinner a 33-1 shot to win next year's RSA Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, while Paddy Power cut him to 16-1 (from 25) for the 3m½f contest.

O'Keeffe, who was born in Wetherby, watched the race from the Newmarket sales, and said: "My initial thought is I'm elated. It took him a while to warm up, but he showed he can do everything. He's made a good start and it looks like he could be the complete chaser.

"I haven't really thought about where we'll go next, but I think we'll probably stay up north for the time being."

Beakstown, who won a Grade 2 novice hurdle last season, was sent off the 10-11 favourite from Sam Spinner at 5-4 but missed out by three lengths under Harry Skelton.

Trainer Dan Skelton said: "He's still green and babyish. This is just his second season jumping obstacles under rules and he has plenty to learn."

Champion amateur David Maxwell had a chastening experience before the novice hurdle when unshipped by Jatiluwih, but all was forgiven after the race.

Carrying two stone more than his rivals, the Philip Hobbs-trained five-year-old reeled off his fourth win in a row, with Maxwell aboard each time.

"He jinked at a puddle on the way down and I went out the side-door, which was rather humiliating, but he's a really nice horse," said the rider.

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