Mirsaale strikes again

● Derby runner shows class to claim second Perth prize

Mirsaale, who ran in the 2013 Derby, made it two from two over course and distance at Perth last night.

Ridden again by Brian Harding, the Keith Dalgleishtrained 2-7 favourite produced another slick round of jumping to trounce Miro by 15 lengths in the Racing Post Showcase Awards Novices’ Hurdle.

Harding said: “He was even better than last time tonight. He’s not the biggest but he loves his jumping and is brilliant over his hurdles. Ideally he needs a bit of cut in the ground and I wouldn’t be worried about stepping up to two and a half miles in better company. He was classy on the Flat and is a really straightforward type of horse.”

Gordon Elliott and Richard Johnson ended a lean spell by their high Perth standards when teaming up to win the feature race with well-backed 6-5 favourite Mountain King.

They produced the finish of the night when pipping longtime leader Tangolan by a length and a half. And the part- nership completed a quick double in the following race as Blake Dean strolled home by six lengths.

Meanwhile, Thesme can gain a thoroughly deserved first success of the season in the VIP Premium Vaping & E-liquids Scarbrough Stakes, the feature event on the opening day of the St Leger meeting at Doncaster today.

Nigel Tinkler’s charge was three times a winner last term but has yet to poke her head in front this year, although she has been holding her own at a higher level.

Tinkler hiked her right up in class to Group One level in the Nunthorpe at York and she appeared to be punching above her weight on that occasion, beaten just over four lengths by Mecca’s Angel in fifth. Thesme showed she had speed to burn before getting swallowed up in the finish and a repeat of that effort today should see her right.