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Pelvic injury rules out O’Keeffe’s top novice chaser.

Sam Spinner  has been ruled out for the rest of the season by a pelvic injury which was probably sustained in his latest victory at Doncaster.

Jedd O'Keeffe's stable star was prominent in the ante-post betting for the RSA Chase at Cheltenham, after winning all his three starts over fences.

Following two successes at Wetherby, Sam Spinner completed a hat-trick with a 38-length romp over Windsor Avenue in a Grade Two on Town Moor this month.

But O'Keeffe tweeted on Monday: "Very sad to report that Sam Spinner has suffered a pelvic injury and won't run again this season. With luck he'll be back 100% next year."

The trainer, on his 51st birthday, then released a fuller statement.

It read: "Obviously, we're all gutted. We were completely happy with him after the race (at Doncaster). He seemed in great order.

"It was just having had two weeks' easy light exercise, he returned on Sunday to have a hack canter. We weren't happy with him, and this morning the vets identified a small pelvic injury we believe probably happened during the race.

"He's a lovely horse, and we've got a great team looking after him to make sure he has a great year next year."