Owned by Mr Ziad Al Galadari, Mountain Angel might have taken apart the competitive 20-runner field with a four-length success, but it was not simply a case of point and fire on a straight course that is deceptively difficult to ride and David proved assured from start to finish aboard the now-gelded son of Dark Angel.

Breaking from stall eight as the field split into two groups, Mountain Angel was ridden with plenty of patience throughout the early stages of the contest and David was alert to both an increase in pace and the action developing towards the far-side three furlongs out, angling his mount towards those who could take him furthest into the contest.

Produced to challenge inside the final quarter mile, Mountain Angel reeled in the Karen George-trained Secret Return with over a furlong left to run and despite not having much company inside the last, he continued to gallop out strongly in the soft ground, drawing clear in the manner of a horse who is set for a productive summer.

A winner of a Beverley maiden last year, Mountain Angel locked horns with good-quality handicappers in competitive company subsequently, chasing home the rapidly-improving Kryptos at Thirsk prior to a fine fifth in the Silver Cambridgeshire behind recent Group 2 winner Addeybb.

Officially rated 83 for his seasonal reappearance, he proved that mark all wrong with this impressive success and he looks set to take high rank in good-quality handicaps over the coming months.

Roger said: “These conditions suited Mountain Angel particularly well and David gave him a really assured ride. We’ll have to pitch him into deeper waters now, but the gelding operation looks to have helped him and he should prove a fun handicapper at a good level across the course of the season.”