Racing: Fortune favoured in Poseidon venture

It was back to basics at Doncaster yesterday for Jimmy Fortune, runner-up on 33-1 shot Gazelle Royale in yesterday's Oaks at Epsom.

And the crack northern jockey was seen at his brilliant best to win the Worthington Stakes on Poseidon - the 10-1 outsider of the six runners - for trainer Mick Channon.

Fortune, riding his 28th winner of the campaign, powered home the three- year-old in terrific style to get the better of Yorkshire by half a length.

Micky Quinn, the former professional footballer with Newcastle and Coventry, who has been assisting Channon for 15 months, was lavish in his praise of Fortune.

Quinn said: "Jimmy is on fire at the moment and is riding out of his skin. We have always thought this was a nice horse. He ran well in the Italian Guineas last time out, and has improved for the step up in distance today."

Richard Fahey, going great guns this season, saddled his 12th winner - one better than his total score last year - when Premium Pursuit landed a 20-1 success in the Vodafone Derby Day Maiden Auction Stakes.

Making all the running on the far side of the course, Tony Culhane's mount stuck to his guns in admirable style to score by one and a half lengths from the favourite Country Garden.

Premier Pursuit, who carries the colours of Jim Parsons, also the owner of High Premium and Superior Premium, cost 15,500 guineas as a yearling at Newmarket last October.

Fahey joked: "He is the dearest horse I have ever bought. I did not sleep for a week afterwards until Jim said he would have him!"

Owner Ken Hodgson made it three winners from his last three runners when Jedi Knight lost his maiden tag with a cosy one and three quarter length success over Allinson's Mate in the Konica East Direct Handicap.

"Hasta La Vista won for me at Musselburgh last Saturday night, William's Well won at Catterick yesterday, and now this fellow has done the trick as well," said Hodgson, who has six horses in training with Mick Easterby.

Francis Norton was the rider aboard Jedi Knight, Easterby's third winner in two days, who will now head to Carlisle on Thursday under a 5lb penalty.