There was a ripple of applause around Cheltenham last weekend as Give It To Me Oj bounded up the famous hill — ears pricked and stride lengthening — to clinch the Masterson Holding Hurdle in front-running style. Just moments after pulling up, jockey Jamie Moore gave the four-year-old a proud pat, while trainer Josh Moore exchanged a quick, knowing look with his father, Gary. It was a family moment that captured the heart of the November Meeting — and it may not be their last celebration this autumn.
The dual ‘Derby’ winner Give It To Me Oj, already a name familiar to Epsom crowds after his two Flat triumphs earlier this year, has now been installed as the favourite for the £100,000 Greatwood Handicap Hurdle on Carnival Sunday, 16 November, at Cheltenham.
Trained by Gary and Josh Moore, Give It To Me Oj has been one of the season’s brightest stories. Successful three times over hurdles last term, he extended his record to four wins from his last five starts with a dominant display at Prestbury Park last Saturday. The progressive gelding’s versatility across both codes has made him a rare dual-surface talent — a horse equally at ease with the speed of the Flat and the rhythm of the hurdles.
The Greatwood Handicap Hurdle, a Premier Handicap contested over 2 miles and 87 yards, has long served as an early-season test for emerging stars. Since its inception in 1987, only six four-year-olds have lifted the trophy — South Parade (1988), Detroit City (2006), Brampour (2011), Dell’ Arca (2013), Old Guard (2015) and last year’s winner, Burdett Road (2024). The Moores will be aiming to make Give It To Me Oj the seventh.
This year’s renewal looks as deep as ever, with 33 entries standing their ground. Among the key challengers are Celtic Dino, Mirabad, and Sticktotheplan, all expected to mount serious opposition. Gibbs Island, Joyeuse, and Helnwein add further intrigue, while proven names like Iberico Lord, Faivoir, and Knickerbockerglory bring valuable experience to the field.
Six Irish-trained contenders also feature, including Bowensonfire and Casheldale Lad from Gordon Elliott’s powerful yard, alongside A.J. Martin’s Putapoundinthejar and David Harry Kelly’s Icare Desbois. With talent spread across Britain and Ireland, the Greatwood promises a pulsating contest befitting its £100,000 purse and rich tradition.
For the Moores, however, this race represents something more personal — a chance to continue a family legacy built on hard work, patience, and a shared passion for racing. Gary Moore’s yard has been in sparkling form this autumn, and Give It To Me Oj has emerged as a flagbearer of that success — bold, versatile, and bursting with potential.
As Cheltenham’s November Meeting draws near, anticipation continues to build. For the thousands expected to gather at Prestbury Park, few stories promise to stir the crowd more than the sight of Give It To Me Oj returning to that famous hill, seeking to etch his name into the race’s storied history.
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