3 minute read
It was a case of mission complete in the Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle as Good Time Jonny stormed to Cheltenham Festival success.
Trained to perfection by Tony Martin, he qualified for the big race by finishing third to Maxxum at Leopardstown over Christmas, before tuning-up for his Prestbury Park assignment over an inadequate two miles at the Dublin Racing Festival.
The money had been coming for the eight-year-old building up to the meeting and he was sent off at 9-1 as the tapes went up.
Given a brave steer by Liam McKenna up the inner, Good Time Jonny was out the back as the field headed for home. But his young rider held his nerve to pounce late and deliver his mount with precision, returning a three-and-a-quarter-length winning verdict.
It was a fitting reappearance in the Festival winner's enclosure for Martin, who has proved synonymous with handicap success in the past and was securing his seventh success at the four-day showpiece.
Martin was full of praise for his rider, saying: "He was last at the top of the hill but had the patience to wait, and it worked out well.
"The horse had been coming on real well since Leopardstown and this is great for Liam.
"When they turned in and started to pick up I knew he would win. Liam never chased him.
"This man has shown when he gets the rub of the green he's as good as anyone. He hasn't always enjoyed the breaks you hope for, but when I want to claim I wouldn't look past him."
McKenna said: "It's great for the boys that own him, there'll be plenty of celebrations from them. They're great men. It's great to get these opportunities on a big day like this.
"I got there late enough but that wasn't my plan, Tony said to get there late and about 10 strides from the line I knew I had it. Just to hear that crowd is different."