YORKSHIRE trainer Mark Johnston started Goodwood in style when winning the opening Matchbook Betting Exchange Handicap, over a mile and a quarter, with Fire Fighting.

Several were still in with a chance in the closing stages but it was the Soldier Of Fortune gelding who struck for home and kept on best for Adam Kirby to score by a neck from Oasis Fantasy.

Johnston’s Stars Over The Sea, in front for much of the way, held on for third ahead of the strong-finishing Second Wave, which meant that Godolphin secured both minor placings.

Kirby was full of praise for Alan Spence’s five-year-old, who is very tough but needed a little help from the handicapper.

“He turns up on the big Saturdays and you always get a run for your money with him,” the jockey said.

“Unfortunately he kept going up and up the handicap, but he has just dropped down to a sensible mark and it made it easier for him. I won this race last year (on Mount Logan) but the rest of the week didn’t go so well. We’re off to a good start and let’s hope it can carry on.”

BOOST

Kirby’s hope that the week would improve further was given a boost when Boom The Groom led home a big field in the Weatherbys Private Bank Handicap over the lightning-quick five furlongs.

Well supported at 13/2, the versatile sprinter, with a good all-weather record to his name, got home by half a length from the favourite Thesme, with Bowson Fred, very fast to the furlong pole, the same distance away in third.

It seems a long while since winning trainer Tony Carroll was riding jumps winners around the west country circuit for David Wintle. He is a fully-fledged member of the training profession now and does particularly well with sprinters.

“He’s a lovely little horse, no trouble and a pleasure to own and train,” he said of Boom The Groom. “He was always going to win one of these days and it’s a question of a good draw and being where the pace is. He ran well in the Dash at Epsom but was on the wrong side and had to edge across.”

Kirby’s double came to just over 66/1 and gave him the early lead in the jockeys’ table.

TOP-WEIGHT

Mick Channon was on hand to receive his prize after top-weight Elidor had resisted the strong late challenge of Godolphin’s Qewy in the Summer Handicap over a mile and three-quarters.

Elidor earned the burden of 9st 10lb on his overall form, which had been modest since a very good effort in this race last year. Clearly more than happy on the fast ground, he came with a long, steady run under Silvestre de Sousa, challenged strongly a furlong out and went on to prevail by a neck.

“He’s just a very good horse and he keeps turning up, bless him,” the trainer said. “The Ebor was always going to be his race and he’ll still go for it, but he had his ground today and we couldn’t afford to wait. He’s part of the furniture at home now.”

This was Channon’s 101st Goodwood winner and his 13th at the big meeting.

BEST SOLUTION

Adam Kirby’s day may have become even better when Clive Cox’s youngster Harry Angel was backed down to 5/6 favourite before the Irish Thoroughbred Marketing EBF Stallions Maiden Stakes. However, the colt was most unruly in the stalls and had to be withdrawn, his jockey returning to the ring holding his arm feelingly.

Bookmakers deducted half the pay-out on all winning bets, so Best Solution’s success for Godolphin at 11/2 was not as handsome as it sounds. Benefiting from a fair debut effort at Windsor, Best Solution ran on strongly for James Doyle and accounted for Rich And Famous by a length. He will stay further than six furlongs but there no specific plans outlined by Saeed bin Suroor.

There was good money for Ralph Beckett’s Pure Art in the closing fillies’ handicap over a mile, but she did not have the best of runs and could finish only fourth behind stable-companion Desert Haze, ridden by Oisin Murphy and returned at 13/2.

Luca Cumani’s Haggle, returning from a long absence, finished well in second and should surely go one better before long.