Grey horse Sirjack Thomas moves into contention off the home bend© Photo Healy Racing
Ado McGuinness won the featured COLM QUINN BMW Mile Handicap for the third year in succession as reserve Sirjack Thomas took full advantage of getting a run.
McGuinness' Saltonstall who had won the last two renewals of this €100,000 handicap, made a bold bid to grab three in a row as he charged past the weakening leader, and stablemate, Spanish Tenor approaching the home bend.
He was collared by the grey Sirjack Thomas who was unleashed by mikey Sheehy at the furlong pole.
The 50/1 shot soon moved clear and powered home by three lengths from Quizical who ran on well for second at 33/1. Mosala (10/1) and In From The Cold (22/1) completed the placings in third and fourth respectively.
Sheehy said: "My agent Kevin O'Ryan rang me last night when I was just getting into bed and he said you ride Adrian McGuinness' (Sirjack Thomas) in the big mile tomorrow, so a massive thanks to him and to Adrian for putting me up on the horse.
"I broke well from a wide draw. There was a lot of pace on so I was keen to get slotted in and just get him to relax. He did everything lovely for me. Coming down into the dip I got every run I wanted and I picked up well coming out of the dip. I galloped right to the line."
McGuinness said: “We had a lot of bullets and I thought Saltonstall ran a blinder, he just got there too soon. The gap came and Sam (Ewing) went.
“This lad was drawn wide and I just told Mikey to drop him in and ride him for luck as they would go a good gallop, which they did. He gave him a peach of a ride.
“He only got in as a reserve last night and I rang Kevin O'Ryan as I was looking for a good 5lb or 7lb claimer.
“Declan McDonogh said this fella was top class and I have to thank him too.
“He's only ridden for me a couple of times but he's a top class young fella and the claim was a big help.
“It's unbelievable to win it three years on the bounce. I knew I threw plenty of bullets but that's what you have to do sometimes.
“I'm lucky and privileged to have the lads here this time, the Dooley brothers are over from England, I'm lucky that they have faith to send me these horses to train.
“I have some really nice horses to train which make the job a lot easier. They are great guys and they leave everything to myself and Stephen (Thorne).
“This is a good horse and he's really come to himself this year. The ground was probably as huge factor, he loves a little dig in the ground even though he won on Derby Day on good ground.
“I knew he'd act on it and Saltonstall would act on it, which they did. Current Option didn't run bad, the horses all ran well so I was happy.
“He's in again on Sunday. He'll rock up again so will Current Option, Laugh A Minute, and Spanish Tenor if they are all sound.
“Last year we were a little disappointed with him but he's really come to himself this year, why I don't know, but he got stronger and is a different horse this year.
“We'd given up faith running him in premier handicaps last season and we got him handicapped over hurdles, he's only 96 I think over hurdles!
“We're going to stay on the Flat for a while anyway.”
Sir Jack Thomas was third reserve for this race and was one of six runners saddled by McGuinness.
The Stewards enquired into the running and riding of Spanish Tenor, ridden by L.F. Roche, and trained by Adrian McGuinness. Evidence was heard from the trainer and rider concerned. Adrian McGuinness, stated that he acquired this animal after it won at Tipperary on the 1st June and since then it had only run once under his care. Having reviewed it's previous form, he instructed L.F. Roche to go a good hard pace as the animal had previously won when setting a strong pace. He added that he was disappointed that his charge had not raced up the hill. He advised the Stewards that his charge can be very free at home and was fitted with a cross noseband today. In his opinion restraint would be required in future runs. He confirmed that in the short time that he had care of this horse, no abnormalities had been found. L.F. Roche, confirmed the instructions and added that he had attempted to make the running from a wide draw but his mount had set alight in so doing. He added that his mount had free wheeled into the dip but had tired when squeezed for an effort on the start of the uphill run. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards noted the explanations of both the rider and the trainer.
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
