Sam Spinner delivers on Ascot stage for Yorkshire trainer

Sam Spinner ridden by Joe Colliver lead L'Ami Serge and Daryl Jacob over the last flight before going on to win The JLT Reve De Sivola Long Walk Hurdle Race run during day two of the Christmas Racing Weekend at Ascot Racecourse. (Picture: Julian Herbert/PA Wire)

Winner of a handicap at Haydock last time out, the five-year-old stepped up markedly in class for trainer Jedd O’Keeffe and the well-backed Yorkshire raider duly fended off all-comers in the hands of Joe Colliver.

Two big leaps at the last two flights meant Colliver was able to keep the revs up on the 9-2 winner, and L’Ami Serge, the last to challenge having travelled up strongly on the bridle, could never quite get on terms.

Unowhatimeanharry, the 6-4 favourite, was third.

The victory completes a remarkable career turnaround for Colliver, who was jailed for 10 months last year after lying about the circumstances of a car crash in the early hours of Boxing Day two years ago, being released early after serving almost three months of the sentence.

Colliver said: “The last time I rode him it was the biggest winner of my career and it just keeps getting better on this lad.

“It didn’t feel like we were going that fast until we started to turn in (to the home straight). He just loves being out in front and jumps so good.

“I felt like he was idling a little bit on his own and every time something has jumped up to him he’s gone on.

“I was hopeful he was holding a bit back.”

In 2011 O’Keeffe was diagnosed with cancer in his throat and neck and almost gave up training.

He said: “We are so lucky. He (Sam Spinner) absolutely loves it.

“He’s so tough and genuine and jumps. He just wants to be a racehorse and we’re all so lucky to have him.

“The owners have stuck by us. I’m sure there’s been times when they’ve regretted that, but hopefully today we’ve repaid them.

“I can’t quite believe it really. It’s the stuff of dreams at the moment.”