Our Jonathan gave owner Dr Marwan Koukash back-to-back victories in the William Hill Gold Cup at Ayr.
Trained in North Yorkshire by Kevin Ryan, the four-year-old had long promised to deliver in a big race, and could be called the winner from some way out. Sent off an 11-1 chance, Franny Norton elected to go to the far side from his middle draw in stall 12, and it was to prove a shrewd move.
His mount hit top gear approaching the last of the six furlongs and strode out powerfully, with two lengths the margin of victory over heavily-backed favourite Eton Rifles, who led home the runners on the stands rail.
Son Of The Cat, who also raced on the far side, was one and a half lengths back in third, with Colonel Mak fourth home from the near side.
A delighted Norton, a veteran of the weighing room, said: "I've been on two horses in the past that I've been meant to ride and they have gone on to win, so this is great. This horse is special to Marwan too, so it's double delight really."
Ryan said: "He has been threatening all season, but he has been gradually coming to hand all the time and he has really been sparkling in the last 10 days.
"When the ground came as testing as it is, I was pleased because he has form over seven furlongs and for a race like this you need a staying sprinter. We really had him in good order and I wasn't really concerned about the draw."
Koukash said: "It is great to win the race again. He is a very good horse, he had good form as a two-year-old - he lost his way a bit last season, but he is now back to his best. There is a seven-furlong race at Ascot which is a possibility, Redford won it after this race last year, and then there is a Listed race at Doncaster on the last day of the season.
"Franny rode the horse very well at Chester and he has missed out on this race on a couple of occasions, so it is great to give him a big winner."
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