Double-seeking Saltonstall out to make history in Ahonoora Handicap

3.55 Galway
Irish Stallion Farms EBF "Ahonoora" Handicap | 7f | 3yo+ | RTV

Records were made to be broken and on Sunday afternoon Saltonstall will bid to do what no horse has done in the 20-year history of the Ahonoora Handicap: double up after winning the Colm Quinn BMW Mile on Tuesday.

Three have attempted to follow up, with Tushna (2000) and Ask Jack (2010) only finding one too strong. Ask Jack's effort was particularly meritorious as from 2010 to 2013 the race was contested on a Saturday – giving one day less to prepare.

Ado McGuinness has done his best to freshen up Saltonstall, who carries a 7lb penalty, and said on Saturday: "It's hard to do the double but horses turning out twice in the same week at Galway often run well, so we're looking forward to having a crack at it.

"He seems in great shape and has done well since Tuesday. We took him to the beach for a couple of days and he cantered this morning. We're going there hopeful."

Lavery bullish about reversing form if rain arrives

Six of Saltonstall's beaten rivals from Tuesday's highlight take their chance again, and history suggests a change in fortune is not out of the reckoning.

Quizical caught the eye finishing off well behind Saltonstall on TuesdayCredit: Caroline Norris

Seven horses won the Ahonoora after being beaten in Tuesday's mile contest, including six who were placed. This stat will give connections of Quizical hope as Sheila Lavery's charge finished a creditable third to Saltonstall.

Lavery, who also runs Tuesday's seventh Magnetic North, said: "They both had better draws earlier in the week but if any rain arrived I'd be quite bullish.

"Quizical just found it a bit too quick going downhill but once meeting the rising ground he powered on. Robbie [Colgan] rides him, while we've decided to give Magnetic North a featherweight with Paddy Harnett's claim as seven furlongs is likely to be very sharp for him."

What they say

Aidan O'Brien, trainer of Turnberry Isle
He's been in good form since Tuesday when he was up against it from a wide draw and could never get involved.

Richard Hannon, trainer of Magical Wish
He’d have a chance. He's run pretty well all year and we’re hopeful he will do again.

Aidan Fogarty, trainer of On A Session
He was drawn on the wrong side at the Curragh and was up against it after a furlong. We're stepping him up to seven furlongs but he shaped like he'd stay the trip when winning at Listowel and his pedigree suggests he will too. We're taking the cheekpieces off him as he got a bit wound up at the start last time – we're sending someone down there with him this time.

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