O'Keeffe hopeful Sam Spinner can revive his top staying prowess

Sam Spinner's trainer Jedd O'Keeffe believes last year's Grade 1 Long Walk Hurdle can re-establish himself at the top of the hurdles staying division, with Friday's Ladbrokes Long Distance Hurdle a stepping stone to a defence of his Ascot crown.

The six-year-old gelding had a disappointing spring, finishing fifth and third at the Cheltenham and Aintree festivals having been favourite for both races, but O'Keeffe is sure there are excuses for those two below-par efforts.

"Cheltenham didn't pan out for us. I still think he ran an excellent race given it turned into a sprint. He was only beaten six and a bit lengths by some seriously good horses," he said.

"I thought it was a very good run given we didn't make it enough of a stamina test. The race wasn't run how we expected it to be run and thenAintree was a race too many. He finished a tired horse that day and it was enough."

Ladbrokes Long Distance Hurdle

Joe Colliver's suitability to partner his stable star was questioned after that Cheltenham defeat. Colliver appeared to get the fractions wrong on the 9-4 favourite, but O'Keeffe said it was partly his fault.

"My biggest fear was we were going to go too fast, the ground was surprisingly soft and given the nature of the field I thought we'd get taken on up front," he explained.

"I was in the jockey's ear saying 'you mustn't go too fast'. As it turned out nobody took us on and we were left alone in front. His inexperience meant he was having a look around at everything and Joe felt he was in his comfort zone, but it wasn't enough of a test of stamina for him.

Joe Colliver (left) with Sam Spinner and trainer Jedd O'KeeffeCredit: Louise Pollard

"Because it went wrong on that day we've had comments about why we're not using one of the top five lads, but Joe won a Grade 1 on him at Ascot and judged it perfectly. He gave him the most amazing ride, as he did at Haydock.

"We've all seen many top jockeys get it wrong from time to time and I'm prepared to excuse that below-par effort because I don't entirely blame Joe for it."

So that's settled. What's also settled is Sam Spinner's campaign, with Friday's starting point in Newbury's Ladbrokes Long Distance Hurdle leading to a defence of last year's Grade 1 win in the Long Walk Hurdle, and then Cheltenham and Aintree, with the French Champion Hurdle a further option should the lighter campaign result in the expected fresher horse.

"Our original plan was to go to Wetherby, but we had a minor hiccup with a foot bruise, which stopped us. We wouldn't have gone anyway because of the ground. Plan B was always Newbury followed by the Long Walk.

"We think he's going to be a better, wiser, stronger horse this year and all the signs at home are very encouraging but we have to get out there now and put it to the test.

View Sam Spinner winning last season's Long Walk Hurdle

"Joe schooled him the other day and said he's never felt him like that, so that'd suggest he is, but the test will be if he can put it to good use on the track.

"Physically, he looks fairly similar, he's not a horse that carries a lot of condition and he will tighten up for his first race; we've trained him with the full season in mind. We'd like him to get to Aintree without going over the top."

First there is Newbury on Friday to deal with and that is where O'Keeffe, who said novice chasing could be an option next season if he fails to return to the top of the hurdling ranks, is less confident.

Wholestone: 'I'm very worried about him,' says Jedd O'KeeffeCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

He added: "I'm very worried, particularly about Wholestone. We've taken on Unowhatimeanharry a couple of times and he's been behind us, although we're giving him weight this time.

"Wholestone is a really tough horse. I was impressed with his Aintree win and although we're on level weights and we're rated a few pounds higher I think his performances have been excellent. Both of those two have had a run this season already and we haven't, so that will give them a fitness advantage.

"I go there hopeful but not expecting to win. If he could run a really nice race first time out and if we could improve a few pounds for the experience, then I'd hope we could go to the Long Walk with a fighting chance."

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