Josh Moore is confident there are more big days ahead of Give It To Me Oy after claiming his sixth win of the year in the Masterson Holdings Hurdle at Cheltenham
Having successfully cleared hurdles at Newbury, Huntingdon and Sandown earlier this year, the four-year-old has since become a double ‘derby’ winner at the level, landing both the Jump Jockeys Derby and the apprentice equivalent at Epsom last month.
He was all the rage to continue his hot streak on his return to the jumps as the 4-9 favorite and was soon at the head of affairs under Caoilin Quinn, with only the James Owen-trained Hamlet’s Dinner able to keep up with him from the home bend.
The latter looked to be traveling the better of the pair on the approach to the final hurdle, but Give It To Me Oj dug deep up the hill and was a neck in front of the line.
Moore, who trains the winner in partnership with his father Gary, said: “He was always going to be there to shoot because there was no pace in the race. Running is not what he wants but he is a progressive horse and well worth his 143 rating.”
“There was a lot of expectation today and luckily he’s a reliable horse that could handle it.”
“I always felt he would be strong enough at the finish to hold on – the further he goes the better. I told Caoilin not to let it turn into a sprint as staying is his forte.”
“He’s had a very good year, Flat and jumping. We’ll see how the handicap judges things, but something like Jerry Feilden on the Hennessy (Coral Gold Cup) might suit him.”
He added: “I know ‘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 could be in store for him this season.”
“I wouldn’t risk him in a Pattern race because there’s no penalty, so why not? As a four-year-old he’ll get a bit of weight for his age in a minute, so we’ll see – he’ll win again this winter, I’m sure.”
Cheltenham winner Conman John could prove the point
Lucinda Russell already has one eye on a return to Cheltenham in March with Conman John, following his maiden victory in William Hill’s Final One Standing Novices’ Hurdle.
The five-year-old was pushed all the way by his fellow Timforth when given little chance on his Kells debut last month and wearing the colors of esteemed stablemates Ahoy Senor and Mayrtown, he was favored 4-1 as he dipped his toe into deeper waters.
Big Fleet looked a major threat when looming on the turn on the home stretch under a confident Harry Skelton, but Fraudster John was once again challenged in the run-in and eventually came out on top as he passed the post three lengths to good in the hands of Derek Fox.
Russell, who trains in partnership with Michael Scudamore, said: “He’s just amazing, he’s at Malinas and they have such a great attitude.
“He’s a sweet little horse. We tried him a lot by sending him to Punchestown in the spring, but he’s worth it.
“I know Derek’s body language and he was so relaxed when he came around the corner that I thought he had a lot left in him.”
“I think you have to go back with Albert Bartlett, he looked pretty good there.”
Anthony Hannibal also has big racing ambitions for Leave Of Absence (9-2) after he edged the traveling Pied Piper to take the William Hill extra places with the BOG ‘Chasing Excellence’ Novices Chase, with Rex Dingle the winning rider.
“Once the Pied Piper wasn’t zooming past us, I knew our horse was a really good gapper, so if we could stay with him long enough, I knew he was going to keep going,” Honeyball said.
“What I was really pleased about was his jumping. When he ran at Reynoldstown last season, the jumping was a bit erratic, so that was a real positive today, the way he jumped and the way he handled the Cheltenham waves.”
“He’s a rookie until the end of November, or we could run him in the Coral Gold Cup. I think he has a good profile for that.”
Henry de Bromhead’s Zurich (10-1) became the first Irish-trained winner of the new season at Prestbury Park in the William Hill Every Way Extra Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase.
The six-year-old was awarded victory in the stewards’ room at Killarney three weeks ago after being heavily held back in the run-in and followed by Darragh O’Keeffe.
De Bromhead said: “That was great, I’m delighted for the syndicate, they’re big supporters of ours. They’ve had horses with us for years and I think it’s their first winner here, which is what it’s all about.”
“We felt today’s step would suit him better and we were surprised by his price.”
The raiding party were on fire again in the William Hill Best Odds Guaranteed Handicap Chase, with Gordon Elliott’s Tri Card Brag (6-1) picking up the lion’s share of the £100,000 under Jack Kennedy.
“He jumped and traveled the whole way. I thought he was going to be in front soon but in fairness to the horse he kept galloping,” Elliott said.
“We tried him in the Grand National last season and he just didn’t get home (he finished 11th). I’m not saying we won’t give him another go – it’s a great race – but I’m not sure he’ll get home over that trip.”
Elsewhere, Emma Lavelle’s Ma Shantou (18-5 favourite) gambled significantly in the Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle under Harry Cobden.