Mark Johnston will be delighted if he can find another that turns out to be as talented as yesterday's York winner Gaelic Storm.

The absent trainer was watching on television at the Goffs Sales as the gelding won the Esprit Rated Handicap.

Produced late by Darryll Holland, Gaelic Storm was three-parts of a length too good for Granny's Pet at the line.

It was the third success of the campaign for Gaelic Storm who has maintained his level of form despite tackling some of the season's toughest handicaps.

"He deserves another win - he's been so consistent and genuine," said Johnston's wife Deirdre. "For a moment I was worried about getting the gap but it's all worked out in the end.

"Mark and our owners had bought nine horses between them at the sales already by this morning. They were probably going to get a few more today but I'm sure Mark will have taken a break to watch Gaelic Storm on television," she said yesterday.

Johnston and Holland went on to complete a double when Ice scraped home in the Green Howards Cup. He wore down Fiori in the shadow of the post for a head verdict with Hoh No third.

In an amazing coincidence the three horses - ridden by the same jockeys - filled the same three positions in a race over the course and distance at the beginning of last month.

"You have to feel sorry for the runner-up - we beat him half a length here last month - but it's been a good day for us," said Mrs Johnston.

"We were tapping our feet a little bit before coming to the races as we hadn't had a winner for 11 days."

Luca Cumani is in fine form as the season winds down and he secured a double with Zalal and Perusing.

The Aga Khan's Zalal, ridden by Kieren Fallon, showed himself well-suited by 12 furlongs with an easy three and a half-length defeat of Buzz in the Atlas Ward Structures Classified Stakes.

John Reid was the jockey aboard Perusing and the combination made all the running for an six-length verdict over Mini Lodge in the Newington Hotel York Racegoers Conditions Stakes.

Karl Burke is another trainer that probably doesn't want the season to finish. He sent out the one-two in the Ayr Gold Cup last month - and his horses are still performing well.

He sent out Night City to secure his second victory in four days when making all in the Mayfair Services Jubilee Challenge Claiming Stakes.

Partnered by Jimmy Fortune, notching his 98th victory of the season, he held on by one and a quarter lengths from Minivet.