Good Time Jonny

Good Time Jonny did well to keep on as well as he did to finish fourth in the three-mile handicap hurdle at Aintree on Saturday, coming from the rear in a race that wasn’t run at a strong pace. Held up early on by Liam McKenna towards the rear of the field and along the inside, as is his wont, he was still only about 12th in a bunching field as they rounded the home turn. Still no better than 10th or 11th and behind a wall of horses as they raced towards the final flight, he jumped the last in ninth place, but he stayed on strongly down the near side to get up for fourth. He was a fair way behind the impressive winner West Balboa, but he was only beaten about a length for second.

It was another big run in a big handicap hurdle by Tony Martin’s horse. He was racing here off a handicap rating that was 5lb higher than the mark off which he won the Pertemps Final at Cheltenham in March, but so much went wrong in that race, and he still won with such authority, that a 5lb hike did not appear harsh. He doesn’t hold any entries at present, but he will be of interest wherever he goes now off the same mark of 147. Three miles and a big field and a fast pace suits him well. The Pertemps Handicap Hurdle at Haydock on 13th May, Swinton Hurdle day, could be a good race for him now.
Aintree, 15^th April 2023