Punters hail good Fortune

Published on Saturday 28 March 2009 18:48

IF EVER a jockey earned his money and the adulation of the punters it was yesterday at Doncaster when Jimmy Fortune called it right aboard Expresso Star in the £125,000 William Hill Lincoln handicap.

John Gosden's four-year-old had been the subject of huge gambles for the traditional big opening race of the turf Flat season but there were doubts about this soft ground-lover's participation after the Yorkshire rain missed Doncaster and the ground quickened up. Connections waited until after Fortune returned from his first mount of the day, Fireside, who was unplaced behind 22-1 shot Manassas in the William Hill Spring Mile, run 70 minutes before the Lincoln. The jockey reported that Expresso Star should be given his chance, and although he drifted in the market to 100-30, Fortune brought the favourite home in good style.

If anything it looked all too easy as Expresso Star travelled strongly in behind the leaders of the far side group after the field split into two. Fortune chose exactly the right moment to take the lead as they passed the furlong pole and Expresso Star went clear to win by two and a half lengths ahead of Zaahid (11-1), with Flipando third at 16-1 and Mia's Boy, also 16s, in fourth.

Fortune said: "He was all out, but he won well and he's a progressive horse. You wouldn't know where he might end up."

Earlier, the opening race of the turf Flat season, the williamhill.com Play Poker Brocklesby stakes went to Paul Eddery aboard 12-1 shot Firebreak trained by his brother Pat.