A Case Of You won’t be denied in L’Abbaye

A Case Of You would not be denied Group 1 success and stuck his neck out at the line to edge Air De Valse to the Prix De L’Abbaye de Longchamp Longines ( Group 1 ) under Ronan Whelan.

A Case Of You and Ronan Whelan pip Air De Valse on the nod to land the Prix De L'Abbaye de Longchamp Longines

PHOTO: © Jack Williams / JTW Equine Images

A 108/10 chance at the off, the three year old has had a season of top level and Group company, signing off for the season with a gutsy performance to clinch a maiden Group 1 victory.

Dandalla and Lady In France started very slowly and were always playing catch up with the field from the off.

In a fast and furious race, with 200 metres to run, it looked like Air De Valse had stolen the victory, going 4 lengths clear of the field and seemingly towards certain first place. However, like a bullet from a gun, A Case Of You came firing out of the pack and was gaining with every stride as the line came closer.

Prix De L'Abbaye de Longchamp Longines field charge towards the finish

PHOTO: © Jack Williams / JTW Equine Images

It was a case of on the nod, on the bob, and all at full stretch at the line, with A Case Of You being declared the winner in a pulsating finish to the five furlong cavalry charge.

Post race, trainer Adrian McGuinness was “so proud” and “lucky to have this horse”, ranks of emotion filling his dialect as he spoke to the assembled media.

Prix De L'Abbaye de Longchamp Longines field charge towards the finish

PHOTO: © Jack Williams / JTW Equine Images

“It’s amazing!..... he’s amazing…. He’s fantastic!”

“That’s why we go racing!”

“He will give me a heart attack”, he declared in the interviews, still riding a wave of emotion at this Group 1 victory.

Ronan Whelan, the jockey who strained every sinew to get his mount in front at the line, declared his mount was “magnificent in the last 200 metres”.

“To have a winner is a dream”.

After the post I wasn’t sure I had won….. I waited and watched the big screen”.

“I didn’t know if I should smile or cry!”

Prix De L'Abbaye de Longchamp Longines - A Case Of You gets up in the last stride

PHOTO: © Jack Williams / JTW Equine Images

Of the beaten connections, Corine Barande-Barbe ( trainer of the runner up Air de Valse, was characteristically philosophical as she reflected on what could have been.

“She was giving weight all around at the beginning of the year, so it hasn’t been easy. She likes this type of ground….. she’s a great little mare!”

“It’s great to have a runner in a Group 1, with a mare I’ve bred, partly own and train”.

“You have to be positive!”

Kevin Ryan, trainer of third place Glass Slippers, was very pleased with how his charge had run.

“( Glass Slippers ) ran really well. We are very happy with her performance as she put in a great effort at the finish”.

“Yet again she’s concerned at the finish of this race – which is great”