Trainer Mark Johnston was in a reflective mood after Fire Fighting came with a late rattle but couldn't quite get to the winner, Elbereth, in the Investec Wealth and Investment Handicap at Epsom this afternoon.

The 6/1 joint-favourite found trouble in running after jockey Paul Mulrennan went for a run on the inside of horses and he was making ground hand over fist when daylight appeared but he couldn't quite reel in the winner, who passed the post a neck in front of the four-year-old.

Johnston also trained Master Of Finance, who finished a further length back in third, and 12th placed Sennockian Star, the other 6/1 joint-favourite.

"Fire Fighting was a wee bit unlucky," said Johnston.

"It's the story of his life a bit but he's that kind of horse. It has to go his way. Paul said he should have come outside. He went inside at Redcar and got the break and it couldn't have been better but he's done the same today and didn't get the break. That's the way it goes.

"I'm not too sure how many times he's been second but probably more than anything running at the moment! He got given a race at Kempton and then it got taken off him when someone appealed against the photo. In Dubai, he was in a photo that the Stewards first inquired into but then we appealed and we didn't get it.

"There no real excuses for Master Of Finance. He ran a good, honest race and we can't complain. He's another one that keeps going up in the handicap. He's gone up 13lb recently but not won a race.

"That's the British handicapping system for you. I always say that, next to poor prize money, the handicapping system is the biggest disincentive to owning at racehorse in Britain."