Good Time Jonny, red and green, finishes off strongly© Photo Healy Racing
A patient race reaped the maximum reward on Good Time Jonny on this step up in trip for the three mile Grade B handicap hurdle at Leopardstown.
A massive field of 24 went to post for this 100,000 euro handicap and Good Time Jonny was noted being nudged along from mid-division to improve before the penultimate flight.
He raced around off the home bend in sixth in his pursuit of leader, and last year's winner, Maze Runner
The leader gave best before the last as Rightplacerightime and Ballywilliam Boy duelled at the lead of affairs.
Good Time Jonny made stealthy headway to jump it in third. He then landed in second when Ballywilliam Boy got it wrong.
Rightplacerightime tried to go for home but Good Time Jonny claimed him in the closing stages to go on by a length and three parts at 17/2.
The runner-up was hammered down from 14/1 in the morning and from an opening show of 7/1 to 7/2 favourite. The Little Yank (80/1) took third ahead of Whatsnotoknow (25/1).
Trainer Tony Martin said: “That was brilliant, very sweet. That's what it's all about, having days like this with the people that are involved.
“Touch wood the horses are running very well and we'll make hay while the sun shines.
“He had a few hiccups and last year he missed a lot of time. He's after coming good and showing his worth now.
“We always thought this would be his job down the road. He won't go to Cheltenham, definitely not. He was there in November, it didn't work out and he didn't like it.
“I might go to Liverpool or Fairyhouse with him. Today was the plan for a long time.”
Jockey Kevin Sexton said: "They went a fair gallop and I thought he would travel everywhere stepping up to three miles but he didn't, he takes a little time to warm to his race.
"He jumped brilliant, he missed one or two. Every time I asked him to go forward he wanted to go forward. He was a willing partner.
"To be honest, I wasn't so sure halfway down the back that I had much of a chance and I just kept hunting away.
"When I jumped the second last, and gave him a squeeze, I kind of thought then that I would get close to them. When I turned in, I knew I would get them.
"I think after the last day I didn't really do what I was told, so they kind of left it to me today! Stepping up to three miles it was the only way to ride him to come home and he came home. He just toughed it out, he's very honest.
"I had never ridden a winner in Leopardstown and I think that is three from my last four rides here, I'm starting to like the place now!"
Paddy Power cut Good Time Jonny from 20/1 to 12/1 for the Coral Cup.
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
