Classy Sir Oj stakes Cheltenham claim

SIR OJ confirmed his place in champion trainer Noel Meade’s team for the Cheltenham Festival when outpointing smart novice Nickname in the Grade 2 Tote ‘Online Betting For Cheltenham’ Newlands Chase at Naas yesterday.

Under a determined Paul Carberry ride, Brian Keenan’s tough nine-year-old edged past front-running Nickname four from home, was headed at the penultimate fence before powering up the hill to land the spoils by a length and a half, giving Meade his 85th success of the season, a personal best.

Meade described Sir Oj as “a lovely horse, tough out” before confirming that he’ll be part of the County Meath trainer’s Cheltenham plans. “The ‘Mildmay’ (now the Racing Post Plate) has been his target all along, but he has a few more entries. He’ll get a 6lb. penalty for the handicaps after this win, but he’s won nearly €40,000 today.