Josh Moore is assured there are extra huge days in Give It To Me Oj after he claimed his sixth victory of the yr in Masterson Holdings Hurdle at Cheltenham
Profitable over obstacles at Newbury, Huntingdon and Sandown earlier within the yr, the four-year-old had since turn out to be a twin ‘Derby’ winner on the extent, touchdown each the Soar Jockeys Derby and the apprentice equal at Epsom final month.
He was all the trend to proceed his scorching streak on his return to leaping because the 4-9 favorite and was quickly bowling alongside on the head of affairs beneath Caoilin Quinn, with solely the James Owen-trained Hamlet’s Evening in a position to go together with him from the house bend.
The latter travelling the higher of the pair on the method to the ultimate impediment, however Give It To Me Oj dug deep up the hill and was a neck in entrance on the line.
Moore, who trains the winner in partnership together with his father Gary, stated: “He was all the time going to be there to shot at as there was no tempo within the race. Making the working is not what he needs, however he is a progressive horse and he is value his mark of 143.
“There was loads of expectation right now and fortuitously he is a dependable horse who was in a position to cope with it.
“I all the time felt he was going to be sturdy sufficient on the end to carry on – the additional he was going to go the higher. I stated to Caoilin to not let it flip right into a dash as staying is his sturdy level.
“He’s had a very good year, Flat and jumps. We’ll see how the handicapper assesses things, but something like the Gerry Feilden at the Hennessy [Coral Gold Cup] meeting might suit him.”
He added: “I know ‘he could be anything’ is an old saying, but he actually could be. He’s a beautiful horse if you look at him, we like him a lot and who knows what might be ahead of him this season.
“I would not not probability him in a Sample race as he has no penalties, so why not? As a four-year-old he’ll get a little bit of weight-for-age on the minute, so we’ll see – he’ll win once more this winter I am positive.”
Cheltenham winner Conman John may show the actual deal
Lucinda Russell already has one eye on a return to Cheltenham in March with Conman John, following his front-running victory within the Play William Hill’s Closing One Standing Novices’ Hurdle.
The five-year-old was pushed all the best way by stablemate Timefortom when touchdown cramped odds on his hurdling debut at Kelso final month and carrying the colors of esteemed stablemates Ahoy Senor and Myretown, he was a 4-1 shot as he dipped his toe into deeper waters.
Nice Fleet seemed a serious risk when looming up rounding the house flip beneath a confident-looking Harry Skelton, however Conman John discovered extra as soon as challenged on the run-in and was finally nicely on high as he handed the submit three lengths to the nice within the arms of Derek Fox.
Russell, who trains in partnership with Michael Scudamore, stated: “He’s just amazing, he’s by Malinas and they have such a great attitude.
“He is a candy little horse. We extremely tried him by sending him off to Punchestown for a bumper within the spring, however he’s value it.
“I know Derek’s body language and he was so relaxed coming round the corner I thought he must have loads more left.
“I believe you have to work again from the Albert Bartlett, he seemed fairly good there.”
Anthony Honeyball also has big-race ambitions for Leave Of Absence (9-2) after he outbattled the strong-travelling Pied Piper to land the William Hill Extra Places With BOG ‘Chasing Excellence’ Novices’ Chase, with Rex Dingle the winning rider.
“As soon as Pied Piper did not zoom previous us I did know our horse is an actual good galloper, so if we might simply stick with him for lengthy sufficient I knew he’d hold going,” said Honeyball.
“What I used to be actually happy about was his leaping. When he ran within the Reynoldstown final season his leaping was a bit bit erratic, in order that was an actual constructive right now, the best way he jumped and the best way he dealt with the undulations of Cheltenham.
“He’s a novice until the end of November, or we could run him in the Coral Gold Cup. He’s got a nice profile for it, I think.”
Henry de Bromhead’s Zurich (10-1) turned the primary Irish-trained winner of the brand new season at Prestbury Park within the William Hill Every Method Additional Novices’ Restricted Handicap Chase.
The six-year-old was awarded victory within the stewards’ room at Killarney three weeks in the past after being badly impeded on the run-in and adopted up beneath Darragh O’Keeffe.
De Bromhead stated: “That was good, I am delighted for the syndicate, they’re nice supporters of ours. They’ve had horses with us for years and I believe that is their first winner right here, which is what it is all about.
“We felt the step up in trip today would suit him and we were surprised the price he was actually.”
The raiding celebration have been on the mark once more within the William Hill Greatest Odds Assured Handicap Chase, with Gordon Elliott’s Three Card Brag (6-1) choosing up the lion’s share of £100,000 beneath Jack Kennedy.
“He jumped and travelled the whole way. I thought he was in front a bit soon, but in fairness to the horse he kept galloping,” stated Elliott.
“We ran him in the Grand National last season and he just didn’t get home [finished 11th]. I’m not saying we won’t give him another go – it’s a great race – but I’m not sure he gets home over that trip.”
Elsewhere, Emma Lavelle’s Ma Shantou [18-5 favourite] landed a big gamble within the Pertemps Community Handicap Hurdle beneath Harry Cobden.
