World Of Fortunes delivers in Doncaster Listed heat

World Of Fortunes made her journey from Ireland worthwhile with a tough success in the Livescore Bet Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle at Doncaster.

Liam Kenny’s chestnut has been set some tough tasks recently, finishing fourth at Grade Three level at Leopardstown just after Christmas and then sixth at the highest level there a month ago.

She stepped down to Listed company and returned to a three-mile trip in South Yorkshire, where she was ridden by Brian Hughes as the 6-5 favourite.

She has winning form over three miles from last year and her stamina showed in the latter stages of the race, where she rallied over the final handful of obstacles to prevail by two lengths.

World Of Fortunes is the usual ride of Jordan Gainford, who is sidelined at present but imparted his knowledge on how to get the best out of the mare.

“Thanks very much to him, I wouldn’t have won on her but I knew what her traits were,” said Hughes.

“He told me how to ride her and it was spot on, really. Keep her handy and happy, don’t be afraid to commit on her and she’ll stay.

“It’s all down to him, he’s back on Monday from injury and he’s got this mare to look forward to.”

Queensbury Boy made the perfect debut over obstacles when strolling home in the Livescore Bet Best Odds Daily Maiden Hurdle under owner-jockey David Maxwell.

The six-year-old, who is trained by Harry Derham, was a point-to-point winner for prior connections and fared well in bumpers when winning at the first attempt and then placing second at Punchestown in May.

He turned his attention to hurdling for the first time at Doncaster and was sent off the 4-9 favourite – odds which were justified when he made light work of 11 rivals, jumping neatly to canter home eight and a half lengths in front of the runner-up.

“I just didn’t want to mess up the tactics, Harry said to keep it very simple and just jump the last then give him a kick and he’ll go on and win,” said Maxwell.

“We were ahead a bit too soon and I had Harry ringing in my ear saying ‘I told you not to do that!’, but he was very good – he’s very straightforward and honest.

“I’m really looking forward to him over a fence, he’s a magnificent jumper.”

Maxwell was also full of praise for the atmosphere at the track, which was hosting a large amount of student racegoers via the Invades initiative.

“The atmosphere here today is something special with all these students, it’s brilliant,” he said.

“I said on the way up that if I don’t win this I’m not even going to come back in, I’ll trot straight to the station and get on a train to London!”