Saltonstall and Gavin Ryan stride clear to land the Glencairn Stakes© Photo Healy Racing
Saltonstall has played a big part in a great year for both trainer Ado McGuinness and champion apprentice elect Gavin Ryan and the six-year-old gelding rounded the campaign off in style by landing the Listed Glencairn Stakes at Naas.
The son of Pivotal was recording his third win this year and his sixth in total which includes the valuable Colm Quinn BMW Mile Handicap twice at the Galway Festival.
Ryan bided his time before switching the 6/1 chance left to challenge on the inner over a furlong out.
He got a dream run up the inside rail and his mount soon quickened clear to record a convincing three and a half lengths verdict over the staying on Raise You Quizical was a further half a length back in third.
McGuinness said, “I ran him in Bart O’Sullivan’s colours as he’s dead a year two days ago. I’m dedicating the whole thing to Bart as only for him I wouldn’t be here today. He got me the owners and got me going. The O’Sullivan family got me involved with the Dooleys.
“I’m just thrilled to bits that the horse has done it. He’s such a warrior of a horse as he had his problems before we got him but when he’s right he’s a serious horse.
“Gavin has been brilliant on the horse all year and hasn’t put a foot wrong. He got a dream run up the rail.
“He’s won on all types of ground and is just a fabulous horse to have. We’ll probably give him a break now and look forward to next year with him.”
