Christmas Jumper, left, stays on best from Auckland© Photo Healy Racing
Christmas Jumper came from a long way back to wear down Auckland at Punchestown.
He only had three horses behind him with five furlongs and two flights to go.
Strong-travelling Auckland, in the first-time visor, went on racing into the home bend but Christmas Jumper had made rapid headway to have him in his sights when racing to the last in second.
Auckland wandered coming to the last and JJ Slevin switched Christmas Jumper to to the inner to challenge.
The pair began to get up in the final 100 yards and proved half a length too good at 7/1. Runner-up Auckland was a 5/1 shot. Anno Maximo (20/1) and Kilkenny Star (16/1) finished behind this battle in third and fourth respectively.
Patrick Harty said: “He's very consistent. Since he learned his trade and went handicapping in with horses more his own level he's gained a lot of confidence and has really enjoyed what he's doing.
“He's become a very slick, good jumper and he just keeps steadily, gradually improving.
“I don't think he'll handle real heavy winter ground and we'll pick and choose where we go and keep him fresh.
“I'm not going to say the sky is the limit but he has that profile, that he just keeps improving with time and I think those Leading Lights need a little time as well. As long as you don't keep going to the well they'll keep coming along and improving slowly for you.
“I think he'll jump a fence as well, probably next summer. We'll keep him over hurdles for the time being, depending on what is coming up in the next few weeks.
“The owners are getting great sport out of him and long may it continue.”
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
