Ado McGuinness favours Saltonstall as he fires three at valuable handicap

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Ado McGuinness is triple-handed in his attempt to snare another major handicap but the in-form trainer thinks it could pay to look beyond the obvious with his runners.

Aussie Valentine, a winner over the course and distance last time and Master Speaker, a thoroughly consistent horse, would appear to hold sway over Saltonstall, who has a string of zeros beside his name, but McGuinness believes the latter can put recent form behind him.

Saltonstall also won over this course and distance last season for Michael Halford but has yet to show that sort of form for McGuinness, including when beating just one horse home when well backed on his stable debut in the Lincoln at Doncaster back in March.

Saltonstall: is better than he has shown recently according to trainer Ado McGuinnessCredit: Alain Barr (racingpost.com/photos)

However, McGuinness is confident he has got Saltonstall purring again and predicts the unexposed handicapper can hold his more vaunted stablemates.

McGuinness said: "Saltonstall ran well the last day over seven furlongs and I expect him to improve for that. He’s going very well at home.

"Aussie Valentine will run his usual solid race while Master Speaker could drive the box to the races at this stage he’s run so many times – he’d prefer a bit of juice in the ground, though.

"It’s great to be coming here with live chances. I’ve never had three horses with a chance of winning a premier handicap and, given the money that’s on offer, all three of them have to take their chance.”

Revealing Saltonstall is his number one, McGuinness added: “Master Speaker and Aussie Valentine have been brilliant for us but I think Saltonstall is a little bit more unexposed and he’d be my pick.”

What they say

Joseph O’Brien, trainer of King's Field
He was a little disappointing at Royal Ascot but we're trying him in cheekpieces and we're hopeful of a good run.

Dermot Weld, trainer of Jassaar
Jassaar is a consistent horse. He didn’t get into the Hunt Cup at Royal Ascot and he comes here instead. He’s in good form but if they get any rain it would help his chance.

Jassaar: would be suited by rainCredit: Caroline Norris (racingpost.com/photos)

Madeleine Tylicki, trainer of Port Lions
He's in very good order. I was delighted with him at Naas where Billy Lee gave him a great ride and he's been in good form since. We're excited about running him and I think we haven't seen the best of him yet.

Aidan O'Brein, trainer of Turnberry Isle
He's been disappointing but we think he's better than he's been showing recently.

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