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Breeders’ Cup: ‘It will take a good horse to beat him’ – Ado McGuinness on A Case Of You

Trainer Adrian ‘Ado’ McGuinness is dreaming of Breeders’ Cup success with his debut runner when stable star A Case Of You tackles the Turf Sprint at Del Mar on November 6.

Del Mar
Del Mar Picture: Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

A Case Of You secured his starting position and fees paid into this year's $1 million contest through the Breeders' Cup Challenge Series when landing the Prix de l'Abbaye at ParisLongchamp. 

He had narrowly missed out on a 'Win and You're in' place when runner-up in the G1 Flying Five but got up late under jockey Ronan Whelan to land the French five-furlong dash on Arc day, thereby vindicating connections' decision to supplement him.

"Straight after the Flying Five we said we had to go to France," said McGuinness. "It wasn't a case that you had to put your hand in your pocket. He'd earned his money to go there and we decided that we had to go. It was either it [Abbaye] or Ascot. We felt if Ascot could go very heavy it would be a real testing slog, so we decided to supplement him for France, even though that was sharp."

The French victory provided McGuinness with his biggest career win to date, A Case Of You winning by a short head under a late drive, but his trainer admits that there were a few tense moments until the final result was called.

"There was somebody standing beside me in the stands who thought I had gone mad," he said. "The last half a furlong I knew he was coming. I came off the stands and thought I hope it's not another second in a Group 1, because after being second in the Flying Five I thought, will I ever be that close again. It was a long minute or so before it was called. The joy and the celebrations after it though was unbelievable."

He added: "He's only had three races since June. Once we were told we're a 'Win And You're I', it was a no-brainer for us. It's a great thrill for us to have a horse to go there. It's brilliant for us to get out there and see what it's all about."

A Case Of You is yet to race on quick ground, winning his sole G1 on ground listed as heavy, but McGuinness believes he should handle the conditions at Del Mar.

"They tell me it's not flint hard, it's quick but there is a lovely sponge in the surface out there," he said. "The ground in the Flying Five wasn't slow that day, he handled it well, and I think he'll handle it. He handles soft ground, but I think he'll be better on nice ground.

"I think if the horse produces what he is capable of doing, it will take a good horse to beat him. I think the draw is key. We'd love a low draw which would be a massive help to him. I'd be confident that he's going to run a huge race out there."


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