'I thought it was deja vu' - Tim Easterby nearly pulls off dead-heat trick again as Mount King denies stablemate Tasever

Tim Easterby thought he had repeated the feat of his runners dead-heating at Pontefract when Mount King narrowly denied outsider Tasever in the mile handicap.

Mount King, who was a winner at Thirsk last month, was joined on the line by his 33-1 stablemate but just held on to score by a nose under David Allan.

Easterby achieved the rare feat of two of his runners dead-heating at the track with Mirrored and Deauville Flyer in April 2012, but was unable to share the spoils this time.

"I really thought it could've been a dead-heat but they've both run super races," the trainer said. "We've actually had a dead-heat between two of our runners there before over a mile and a quarter and I thought it was going to be deja vu. It was a great race."

It was a second career success for Mount King under Easterby's care after being bought for 22,000gns last year, but for Tasever the wait for a maiden win goes on.

Easterby added: "We bought Mount King second hand at the Horses In Training Sale from Joseph O'Brien and he's been a lovely horse for the owners. Tasever ran a blinder too and I hope he'll get his win soon."

Ryan on a roll

Rossa Ryan continued his fine recent form at Pontefract with a double after riding a treble at the track's previous meeting. 

Ryan struck on Invincible Molly in the 6f nursery before guiding Hiromichi to victory in the mile handicap.

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