Sam Spinner retains unbeaten chase record with straightforward Wetherby win

Sam Spinner retained his unbeaten record over fences when running out a game winner at Wetherby, fending off the challenge of the Dan Skelton-trained Ardlethen.

Stepping up to three miles for the first time over fences, the Grade 1-winning hurdler was briefly challenged from two out but stayed on stoutly for a four-length win.

Despite jumping slightly to his right on occasions, Sam Spinner put in some tidy leaps en route to his eighth success under rules.

Watch: Sam Spinner notching another win over fences

Trainer Jedd O'Keeffe, who confirmed that the RSA Novices' Chase was the ultimate target, said: "We're very pleased. Everybody can see at the odd fence he's a little bit deliberate but at the same time he can go long when needed – he makes a very good shape when needed and he can correct himself to get himself right.

"Gradually we're getting there and we think he'll be better when he's going faster in a better race."

O'Keeffe added that there were no immediate plans following this race, although he hopes to run Sam Spinner again before Christmas.

The winner remains unchanged at 16-1 for the RSA with Paddy Power, while Betway shortened the Stayers' Hurdle runner-up to 25-1 (from 33) for the staying novice chase at Cheltenham.

Summerville Boy prevails in eventful beginners' chase at Uttoxeter

Summerville Boy made a winning start over fences at Uttoxeter but not without showcasing some of the jumping foibles that characterised his time over hurdles.

Last seen finishing down the field at the Punchestown festival in May, Summerville Boy returned to action in a strong-looking 2m beginners’ chase where he faced the smart pair Western Ryder and First Flow, with the latter also running over fences for the first time.

Neither Summerville Boy or First Flow made life easy for their riders. First Flow looked to hang off the course on the stable bend and spent much of his time jumping right, a habit which cost him valuable momentum at the end.

It is at the end of races that Summerville Boy thrives. Errors littered his round of jumping and looked likely to prevent him being involved before his trademark surge for home brought him through to prevail from his market rival, just as it had famously done in the 2018 Supreme Novices’ Hurdle success at the Cheltenham Festival.

Summerville Boy: 2018 Supreme winner made winning start over fencesCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Winning rider Jonathan Burke told Sky Sports Racing: “It’s great to be getting the rides on these good horses, that’s what you do it for.

“It’s good to get that out of the way. He was labelled as a bad jumper over hurdles but he’s not. He banked a few but he’s very good at it. He’ll have to sharpen up to get to the next grade but I’m sure he will with practice. The ground was plenty heavy enough for a first run.”

Summerville Boy, owned by Roger Brookhouse, was given quotes of 25-1 for the Racing Post Arkle at Cheltenham by Paddy Power, SkyBet and Betway, and his success was a relief for Noel George, son of trainer Tom.

“Johnny was very pleased with his jumping on the whole and he was just winging it early and he had to be pulled back to get home on that ground,” he said. “He’s flown home which was good. He’s got an enormous engine but you never know if he’s going to hit one or two and put your heart in your mouth.”

First Flow finished four lengths back in second under jockey David Bass, who said: ”I thought I was going to the golf course down the back! He has done it before but not that bad, so considering he did that he’s run well.

“The winner’s a good horse so we’ve lost nothing in defeat. Going the other way around there’s a lot to look forward to.”

Did you know you can bet via the Racing Post mobile app/website? Simply sign in with your favourite bookmaker via the Accounts button and then bet direct from our racecards