A J Martin’s Good Time Jonny came from the back to run away a convincing winner ahead of Salvador Ziggy in Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle on day three at the Cheltenham Festival.
Rode by Liam McKenna, the horse seemed too far away to challenge for the win as the pack jumped the final hurdle, but as he rode towards the line he broke away at immense speed to come from last to first in the home straight.
It’s McKenna’s first race win at the Cheltenham Festival and even he admitted that he didn’t expect to arrive alongside the front of the pack as late as he did.
“Ten straights from the line I knew I had it, and just to hear that crowd, it’s different gravy,” said McKenna after the race.
“I walked it and I thought, it was good from when we jumped off to when we got into the straight, but it rode a little bit slower than I’d thought.
“It’s great for the boys at home, they’re great men. I’ve had a great season, I have a lot to thank for them.”
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The charge from Good Time Jonny left both McKenna and trainer Martin a fair bit of doubt and neither could really believe how the horse recovered.
“He is a slow horse, but he had the patience to sit there, it’s been a fair few years now but it was absolutely brilliant. Unbelievable, what a ride.”
