Stay it again Sam
IT’S WORTH taking a chance that Sam Spinner will return to his best form this afternoon in the Ascot race that cemented his reputation 12 months ago.
The star of the Jedd O’Keeffe, inset, stable showed the utmost determination to make all the running and then hold off subsequent Aintree Hurdle winner L’Ami Serge in the 2017 JLT Hurdle, with quality runners like U now ha time an harry and The Worlds End 10 lengths and more further adrift.
Given a break after his busy early-season campaign he was made favourite for the Stayers’ Hurdle at both the Cheltenham and Aintree Festivals, only to put in belowpar efforts on each occasion. It was the same on his seasonal reappearance at Newbury three weeks ago but I’m banking that the application of cheekpieces for the first time and the return to the scene of his finest hour will rekindle the flame for Sam Spinner (2.25).
At the expected odds of about 7-1, it is worth the risk.
FAVORITO BUCK’S (3.00, nap) can gain valuable back-to-back handicap chase wins at Ascot in the Listed Garrard Silver Cup.
Unusually for a Paul Nicholls horse, this six-yearold is still travelling under the radar and was a 12-1 chance when winning from Vice Et Vertu last time. Today’s test in what is an early Grand National trial against the likes of last year’s Garrard winner Gold Present represents another step up in class. However, the selection is young, unexposed, carries a feather weight of just 10st 4lb and comes from an in-form squad.
Alan King was also among the winners at the Berkshire track yesterday and his Barbury Castle team boasts the likely answer to the puzzle that is the 21-runner Betfair Exchange Trophy which closes the card.
Fidux (3.35) followed up an easy victory at Southwell with a success over today’s course and distance in a valuable handicap hurdle by eight lengths.
Regular pilot Wayne Hutchinson rides the stable’s Lisp so Tom Cannon is the beneficiary who takes over on the hat-trick-seeking and fast-improving Fidux.
GOLD OPERA
(1.20, nb) won when last seen on his final outing for
Nick and Lucy Alexander back in April.
He returns to the location of that Newcastle triumph, over the same two-and-a-half mile distance, and is expected to make a winning start for the yard of Keith Dalgleish.
The Lanarkshire trainer’s mixed team of Flat and jumping horses has been in electric form in December, with six recent winners from 16 runners. Gold Opera could be another.