‘Special’ Fire Fighting seals Goodwood glory

Mark Johnston hailed the performance of the “special” Fire Fighting after his victory at Goodwood on Tuesday afternoon.

The five-year-old scored in the opening race, with a late surge to secure the Matchbook Betting Exchange Stakes by a neck from Oasis Fantasy.

It was the Middleham handler's sixth straight success in the mile-and-a-quarter handicap and the son of Soldier of Fortune's first success of the season.

One of Johnston's other charges, Stars Of The Sea, looked a more likely winner but it was Fire Fighting who had the required finishing kick to land the spoils.

The trainer was delighted with the result and was relieved that there were no takers when the horse was up for sale.

“It was a great result. Alan Spence (owner) is having a fantastic year,” said Johnston. “This horse is special. We took him to the sales but we could not sell him – thank goodness we didn't.

“He is a very straightforward horse but he is quite a character in the race and things have to go right for him.”