'You probably think we're mad' - A Case Of You sends connections wild again

Saturday: Meydan

They may still be filling in the holes in the Longchamp winner's enclosure following the joyous jigs that were danced after A Case Of You won the Prix de l'Abbaye. Now the turf and tarmac in the Meydan enclosure may need some attention after trainer Ado McGuinness and his band of happy followers roared home their pride and joy to land a second Group 1.

Drawn ideally against the favoured near rail, A Case Of You ran straight and true under jockey Ronan Whelan to take the prize at 14-1 with Happy Romance second at 20-1 and Man Of Promise third at 10-11, the second short-priced favourite of the night to be turned over for Charlie Appleby, William Buick and Godolphin.

McGuinness said: "You probably think we're a bit mad," only for Whelan to cut in with an affirmative "we are!"

McGuinness added: "We like to celebrate and we always do. Even if it's an ordinary race at home, we roar and shout our horses home."

But for all the camera-friendly celebrations and the scattering of phone chargers, lipsticks and lens caps that the revellers left in their wake, McGuinness was at pains to underline how much he thinks of A Case Of You, who was turning round a near five-length defeat from the Nad Al Sheba Turf Sprint earlier in the month.

A Case Of You wins the Al Quoz SprintCredit: Edward Whitaker

"We were only rated 113 after the Abbaye and I had a little argument with our Irish handicapper," said McGuinness. He said the other horses didn't run to form.

"He can't argue today because he definitely performed against better horses. He's going to have to put him up."

Having shown such versatility in his two Group 1 wins there is now a welter of opportunities for A Case Of You, most immediately at the royal meeting in June.

"We have it on our agenda that we would go to Ascot," said McGuinness. "I think the stiff five would suit him well. My main aim will be Abbaye and Breeders' Cup, but we will take in Ascot as well."

A Case Of You has been just as important for the career of Whelan as for McGuinness, and the 23-year-old was in no doubt as to the importance of this success.

"France was obviously very special for us and America was amazing, but we went in there with a chance, whereas now we're a Group 1 horse," said Whelan. "We were chasing the win, we weren't just chasing prize-money, so that has its different expectations.

"To go and deliver like he has on such an international stage, representing Ireland and representing everyone at home, is very very special."

Sean Levey returned to plenty of cheers and applause on Happy Romance, who had to come from the less helpful part of the track as she chased A Case Of You all the way to the line.

Her trainer Richard Hannon said: "I'm delighted. The winner is obviously a very good horse and we were a bit unlucky to be drawn out a little wide.

"She's run a super race and she'll win Group 1s this year for sure."

Hannon added: "Most sprinters have good days and bad days, but you seldom see a bad day with her, she's a delight."

Charlie Appleby refused to be downcast about defeat for Man Of Promise, saying: "I'm very pleased with him, he's run a solid race again. Fair play to Ado McGuinness and his team as their horse has come on again and they got the rail.

"Personally, I think we could come back to five furlongs now with him – he's a strong traveller."

Read more from Meydan:

Country Grammer gives Frankie Dettori his fourth Dubai World Cup

Dead-heat drama as Lord North and Panthalassa share Dubai Turf spoils

Full result

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