Tom Taaffe has never hidden his admiration for Merdeka and his belief was fully justified when the Luso gelding made all to land the Grade 2 Bar-One Racing Johnstown Novice Hurdle.
The local trainer views the 6yo as a possible future successor to Kicking King, and was bubbling with enthusiasm after he maintained a strong gallop under Barry Geraghty to beat Back To Bid by 2 1/2L.
'Barry did exactly what I wanted and we'll park him now for the season. He'll go novice chasing next season and hopefully won't be given a hard year. He could go all the way,' said Taaffe.
Nickname and Sir Oj had a battle royal in the Tote 'Online Betting For Cheltenham Newlands Chase, and it was the Noel Meade-trained gelding who eventually came out on top.
Nickname adopted his customary position at the head of affairs without gaining a clear advantage and, after the pair locked horns from the second last, Paul Carberry's mount just found a bit extra close home to score by 1 1/2L.
'He's a really tough horse and, if he comes out of this okay, will go for something at Cheltenham. After that he might just be the ideal type for the National,' said Meade.
Boylesports make Sir Oj 7/1 favourite for the Racing Post Plate (formerly the Mildmay Of Flete), while he's 33/1 with Sean Graham for the Grand National.
The Anglo Irish Bank Nas Na Riogh Novice Chase looked a match beforehand between Father Matt and Kill Devil Hill but the 2m4f event certainly didn't go to script.
Father Matt blundered badly just after halfway and gave Carberry no chance of staying in the saddle, while Kill Devil Hill (respiratory infection post-race) found nothing under pressure after three out.
Lordofourown headed the front-running Chetwind Music early in the straight and, with Andrew McNamara oozing confidence, came home a comfortable nine lengths clear.
'He made a hash of the first at Leopardstown last time and lost a shoe. He needs a flat, galloping track so Cheltenham is out,' said Samantha Donohoe, representing husband Shane who is on a golfing break in Spain.
'We're thinking about the Power Gold Cup at Fairyhouse, while we'll also have a look at Aintree and Ayr,' she added.
Compo (Brian Byrnes) maintained trainer Eric McNamara's good run when rallying in the closing stages to just edge out Zaffran Lady in the three miles handicap hurdle.
'He stayed every inch of the three miles and will mix it between hurdles and fences,' said McNamara.
Mark Walsh partnered his eighth winner of the season when producing Fanling Lady with a well-timed challenge to take the two miles maiden hurdle.
The five-year-old grey mare, well supported from 10/1 in the morning, was patiently-ridden to lead after the last and kept on well to beat Nutmeg Tune by a length and a half.
Premier Rouge led between the final two flights for Timmy Murphy in the two miles handicap hurdle, staying on strongly on the run-in to beat Pacolet by three lengths.
Hairy Molly (4/6f) easily landed the odds in the bumper, drawing clear inside the final quarter mile for Garreth Power to beat Aka Jake by 13L.
Alan Magee
