HAVING saddled no fewer than seven of the 27 runners, Ado McGuinness must have felt a sinking feeling akin to a British jump trainer as a raider from across the Irish Sea in Lattam (103+) denied Saltonstall (103) victory in the Irish Lincolnshire.

Victory looked unlikely entering the final furlong as, despite being full of running, the William Haggas-trained gelding was forced to naviagte a wall of rivals before even reaching a challenging position.

The gap eventually presented itself although jockey Chris Hayes was still required to switch his mount off heels, leaving the partnership just a hundred yards in which to make up around three lengths on Ado McGuinness’ veteran.

In securing the win, the four-year-old posted a closing three-furlong sectional of 39.24secs which, as well as being quicker from the same point than Insinuendo, is also worthy of an upgrade considering the traffic he encountered.

Saltonstall raced alongside his conqueror at the start of the sectional so covered the ground in the same time despite taking a different route as Adam Caffrey chose the far side rail as the place to challenge. As the day developed there appeared to be no track bias so the path taken by the jockey played no part in the outcome.

Fourth home San Aer (102) was afforded the smoothest passage as he ran another solid race at flat headquarters; Thomas Mullins’ five-year-old provides the substance to the time figure as he ran to the same level on two occasions at the weekend’s venue last season.

Totally Charming (100) eventually finished seventh after leading at the furlong pole, George Boughey’s five-year-old may just have found the mile in the conditions stretching his stamina and a return to seven furlongs or racing around a bend can yield success.

There were plenty of closers making ground from the rear to note, with the Johnny Murtaghgpair of Carrytheone (99+) - who stopped the clock at 39.82secs for his sectional - and Miss Mirabell (99) the pick of those who finished far side. Joe Masseria (99) finished best of those who stayed stands’ side, finishing off his race in 39.60secs.

Seven-furlong contests

The seven-furlong contests on the card look rapid when comparing them to the races over the mile. However, a cautious view looks the most sensible position as the 17secs between the quickest of them looks misleading.

In isolation, the performance of Honey Girl (100) still looks noteworthy, which is supported by the closing sectionals as Joseph O’Brien’s new recruit covered the final three furlongs the quickest on the day, stopping the clock at 39.02secs.

The data also points to the performance of the runner up Unless (99) who appears way ahead of her current 86 rating; a repeat performance should make a handicap a formality for Aidan O’Brien’s filly.

Merit

Shadowed (91) completed a double for Joseph O’Brien and, while not able to match his more illustrious stable companion overall, he still posted a closing sectional of merit covering the ground in 39.30secs.

In short, the closing races were not of the same quality.

Razdan (86) successfully played catch me if you can from the furlong marker as he competed his race in 42.96secs, while Chris Hayes completed his double on Queen’s Pardon (82) who stopped the clock at 40.27secs in recording the slowest time on the card.

INSINUENDO (105+) launched her six-year-old career with a smooth win in the Group 3 Park Express Stakes, easily accounting for Redressed (102), who ran a race full of promise for one so inexperienced.

Willie McCreery’s mare covered the ground from the three-furlong marker in 39.58secs as she completed the mile in an overall time 0.3secs quicker than the big handicap winner. The Tattersalls Gold Cup is reported to be the next target for the daughter of Gleneagles.

Kerkiyra (102) and Star Girls Aalmal (101) are worth another chance to prove themselves at this level as both needed to extricate themselves from behind horses before making their challenges.

It may seem early to talk about Royal Ascot although in the case of Bucanero Fuerte (93+) an exception is made as the style of his victory and the evidence of the clock suggest AMO Racing have wasted no time in firing the first significant shot of the two-year-old season.

Although the race time was 0.84secs slower than Laugh A Minute (99), the Wootton Bassett debutant eclipsed his older counterpart through the final two furlongs, as in powering clear he covered the ground in 26.17secs compared to the 26.76secs taken by the Ado McGuinnes-trained winner who was recording back-to-back wins in his race.

The performances of the second and third in the two-year-old contest were also expected as they were both strong in the market. Although no match for the winner, Sturlasson (88) still ran home in 26.79secs from the two pole to comfortably hold Spanish Cara (86) who stopped the clock for her sectional at 27.21secs. They both looked assured of success in the early months of the season.

Swift Flight (99) caught the eye in the five-furlong handicap as he weaved between horses late to snatch third from Saliteh (98). The son of Fast Company is at his best at the Curragh over either five or six furlongs with cut in the ground.

THEDEVILSCOACHMAN (137+) completed his Irish Grand National preparation with a relative stroll around Greenmount Park on Sunday in the Grade 3 Hugh McMahon Memorial Novice Chase.

There was a modest gallop early in the three-mile contest although, as soon as Grandero Bello (134) applied some pressure on the lead, the pace lifted.

Denis O’Regan always occupied a challenging position and, despite an untidy leap at the second last, was well on top at the line, with his closing sectional of 76.8secs leading to a final circuit time 6.0secs quicker than extended two-mile handicap chase winner Queen Jane (134) later on the card. Henry de Bromhead’s mare completed her race in 78.3secs.

Life In The Park (134+) travelled with purpose in the Grade 3 contest, before the descent into the straight appeared to unbalance him. The six-year-old was running on again once on the level and can use this experience positively on his next assignment.

Deeply Superficial (137+) could also be on course for Fairyhouse for the Grade 1 Mares Novices Championship Final at the Easter Festival. Victory on Sunday was achieved in a good time, and she looked to be doing very little when in front in the last 100yds. The final circuit supported the time figure as Gordon Elliott’s mare ran the final lap 5.9secs quicker than Cafe Con Leche (105+).

The slower gallop in the handicap hurdle allowed Charles Byrnes’ seven-year-old to produce a quick finish as he covered the ground in 69.3secs, which was 1.1secs quicker than the winning mare.

Eyecatchers

Probe (99+), Wolverhampton, Saturday 25th March – The move by new connections to try the former Dermot Weld miler over a sprint trip worked nicely and he looks set to prove a threat at Newmarket on Guineas weekend.