Spinner to wear Stayers' Hurdle crown?

When Sam Spinner puts northern racing on the map by lining up as one of the favourites at the Cheltenham Festival, one of the area’s yards will almost be making as much noise as his own.

That’s because Jedd O’Keeffe, the trainer of the Sun Bets Stayers’ Hurdle favourite, spent eight years as Micky Hammond’s assistant.

He will be joined by plenty of staff members as they crowd around the nearest TV to see how the surprise package of the season gets on in his first run at Prestbury Park.

Many of them will have spent a cold morning with jockey Joe Colliver, who will be on board. The young man is making the very best of his second chance after a spell in prison.

Together the pair go to Cheltenham to prove they can handle the big occasion on what will be a career defining day for them both.

“We are looking forward to the race as if the horse is one of our own,” Hammond told www.cdhorseracingtours.com.

“It’s a cracking ride for Joe. It has been the springboard he needed.

“We can’t wait to cheer them both on during a very good day for northern racing."