Trainer Jedd O'Keefe has labelled the RSA Chase at the Cheltenham festival as his stable star Sam Spinner's main target for the season after two pleasing runs over fences to start his campaign this year.
Sam Spinner has been a superb horse for the yard especially for the most part of his career at hurdle level landing the Grade One Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot and also last season finishing second in the Grade One Stayers Hurdle at the Cheltenham festival behind the superstar Paisley Park.
Now going over fences the seven year old has took his hurdles form and used it to excel over the bigger obstacles having two starts and winning on both occasions.
He made his seasonal debut in October staying on well to take a Novices Chase contest at Wetherby, he then went back to the same track now over three miles and enjoyed the extra trip to score again in another decent contest.
The gelding is known for his staying ability and now becoming a smart chaser gives him leading claims for the RSA Chase at the festival but before that he will head to Doncaster for the Grade Two December Novices’ Chase at Doncaster on December 14th.
(Credit At The Races) "He’s in great shape,” the trainer said of his stable star, who finished second behind Paisley Park in the Stayers’ Hurdle at last season’s Festival.
“His next target is the Grade Two three-mile novice chase at Doncaster – the December Novices’ Chase.
“We’ll see how we get on there, but our long-term plan in the RSA Chase at the Festival. All being well, that’s the target for the season.”