MARK Johnston made the perfect start to this year's Qatar Goodwood Festival on Tuesday when Fire Fighting swooped late to give him a sixth success in the Matchbook Betting Exchange Stakes.

One of four runners representing the Middleham trainer in the mile-and-a-quarter handicap, the 8-1 co-favourite gained a first win of the season – and first on turf since winning last year's Zetland Gold Cup – after being lifted home by Adam Kirby.

Approaching the final quarter of a mile it looked as though Johnston's best chance lay with the prominently-ridden Stars Over The Sea, with the five-year-old appearing to be full of running.

But although keeping on, he could not quite match the finishing kick of his stablemate, who moved on about a furlong from home before holding off the late challenge of Oasis Fantasy by a neck.

Johnston said: "It was a great result. Alan Spence (owner) is having a fantastic year. 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. Adam Kirby has found a bit of a key to him.

"He did hit the front a long way out, but there was no signs of him stopping.

"I didn't remember that Yavana's Pace won this, but let's hope Fire Fighting can race at this level as a 10-year-old."

Johnston was also celebrating on Wednesday as he saddled a one-two in the Molecomb Stakes as Yalta led home The Last Lion at Glorious Goodwood.

The winner was sent off 8-1 after a couple of below-par efforts, but was right back to his best here as James Doyle had him in the front rank from the off and was still in command entering the final furlong.

His stablemate went in pursuit, but never looked like reeling in the son of Exceed And Excel, who galloped on resolutely to impressively pull three lengths clear at the winning line.

Global Applause made his bid down the centre of the track and kept on for third as Yalta lowered the juvenile track record over the five-furlong trip.

Doyle said: "He's got course experience having won here before and it all felt so easy. He was first out of the gate, he got into a nice rhythm and was pricking his ears in front, so I was saving plenty, although I was going a good clip.

"I thought it would take a quick one to catch me as he was going through the gears nicely. I had a slight worry as I dropped my rein a furlong out, which isn't ideal in a sprint like this, but luckily we got it together and he finished off well. The drop back in trip and the quicker ground has obviously helped. It was a proper performance."

Earlier this week, the horse racing world was grieving the loss of former leading amateur rider JT McNamara, who died aged 41.

McNamara was paralysed following a fall at the Cheltenham Festival in 2013, when he fractured two vertebrae in his neck after Galaxy Rock came down at the first fence in the Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup.

Renowned as one of the best amateur riders the sport has ever seen, McNamara partnered more than 600 winners during his career, including famous Cheltenham Festival successes aboard the likes of Teaforthree and Spot The Difference.

Former champion jockey Sir AP McCoy was quick to pay tribute, saying: "It's very sad and hard, especially for his wife Caroline; she's a very tough and amazing woman.

"He was a remarkable man. He was a little bit like me – he could be grumpy enough at times, but was very good humoured.

"He was fantastic, a brilliant rider. I said this morning that watching his ride on Rith Dubh at the Cheltenham Festival was as good as you'll ever see."

Barry Geraghty, who replaced McCoy as JP McManus' retained jockey following the champion jockey's retirement, hailed McNamara as a "brilliant fellow".

He said: "It's very sad news and a shock to us all.

"He was a brilliant fellow. He was a brilliant rider, obviously, but he was such a good, fun person and I suppose he showed his true strength having to deal with this injury over the past few years.

"If you visited him, before you'd know it an hour had passed. The conversation always flowed and there was never any self pity.

"He could hold his own among professionals and was better than most.

"Nothing fazed JT. He was cool as a breeze."