SAM RIGHT FOR LONG WALK

Sam Spinner can announce himself on the big stage by winning tomorrow’s JLT Reve De Sivola Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot.

Jedd O’Keeffe’s fiveyear-old has never been out of the first two and his last two runs have been huge career bests.

Whether he has it in him to improve even more, which he will need to do to beat some solid, if not spectacular performers, is the big question, but he is priced accordingly.

This time last year he failed to concede a penalty in a Kelso novice hurdle, but the winner was Mount Mews, subsequently second in a Grade One to Pingshou at the Grand National meeting, giving the form some gravitas.

His most recent performance at Haydock marked him out as potentially top class, as although he was only racing off a mark of 139, he was trying the best part of three miles for the first time and was strongest at the finish.

His improvement cannot be put down to the heavy ground, as pre-race O’Keeffe felt that would be against him, so it was the step up in trip which allowed him to get into a rhythm.

In a division with no real star at the moment, he could be the new kid on the block.

Nicky Henderson’s Verdana Blue can defy an 8lb rise in the Racing Welfare Handicap Hurdle.

Henderson has a fine record in the race and his Brain Power put up a fine weight-carrying performance 12 months ago.

Verdana Blue might not be in his class, but she has improved markedly this season in two runs over this course and distance.

First time out she travelled smoothly before being squeezed at the last and allowed to come home without being given a hard race and she meets the winner, Elgin, on 3lb better terms.

That race has worked out incredibly well, with the mare doing her bit for the form when beating the in-form Speredek by an easy three lengths, despite nearly coming down early on. There is more to come from her.

Eddie Harty will hope his Coney Island is a potential Gold Cup contender later in the season, so he has to be winning the Sodexo Graduation Chase to fulfil those dreams.

Robert Walford is in the middle of the best spell of his career, meaning Walk In The Mill becomes of interest in the Lavazza Silver Cup Handicap Chase.

There is Listed action on the all-weather at Lingfield, where John Gosden’s Utmost can make up for lost time in the Betway Quebec Stakes.