Strong Johnson makes all© Photo Healy Racing
Strong Johnson gamely fended off the pursuers in the five furlong Follow Tipperary On Facebook Race.
The 6/1 shot bounced away smartly to lead under Colin Keane and tanked along at the halfway stage.
He came under a drive from Keane approaching the final furlong and a half and the pair kept up the gallop.
Deep inside the final furlong a trio of closers - Verhoyen indigo Balance and Dancin Inthestreet were hot on his heels but the five-year-old gelding wasn't for passing.
He flashed past the winning post half a length in front of Verhoyen (9/2).
This was a first winner, from few runners, since October 2014 for trainer Homer Scott.
Keane said: “He’s been a very good horse to me and that’s the fourth race I’ve won on him. He’s a Premier Handicap winner (Rockingham at the Curragh last year) and is probably a borderline Listed horse.
“He’s rock solid and hopefully can continue that for the rest of the year. He’s won on nearly all types of ground and is a proper good fun horse for connections.”
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
