Give It To Me Oj drinks in Cheltenham success

Josh Moore is confident there are more big days in Give It To Me Oj after he claimed his sixth victory of the year in Masterson Holdings Hurdle at Cheltenham.

Successful over obstacles at Newbury, Huntingdon and Sandown earlier in the year, the four-year-old had since become a dual ‘Derby’ winner on 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 jumping as the 4-9 favourite and was soon bowling along at the head of affairs under Caoilin Quinn, with only the James Owen-trained Hamlet’s Night able to go with him from the home bend.

The latter looked to be travelling the better of the pair on the approach to the final obstacle, but Give It To Me Oj dug deep up the hill and was a neck in front at the line.

Moore, who trains the winner in partnership with his father Gary, said: “He was always going to be there to shot at as there was no pace in the race. Making the running isn’t what he wants, but he’s a progressive horse and he’s worth his mark of 143.

“There was a lot of expectation today and luckily he’s a reliable horse who was able to deal with it.

“I always felt he was going to be strong enough at the finish to hold on – the further he was going to go the better. I said to Caoilin not to let it turn into a sprint as staying is his strong point.

“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 wouldn’t not chance him in a Pattern race as he has no penalties, so why not? As a four-year-old he’ll get a bit of weight-for-age at the minute, so we’ll see – he’ll win again this winter I’m sure.”