A Case Of You and Gary Carroll lead home Lipizzaner and Padraig Beggy© Photo Healy Racing
A Case Of You provided John McConnell with his biggest success on the level to date, as he claimed the Jebel Ali Racecourse And Stables Anglesey Stakes.
A winner of a barrier trial at Dundalk in July, the son of Hot Streak finished third on his official debut at Bellewstown, before making the breakthrough in good style at Down Royal last month.
Available at 25/1 in early shows for this Group 3 contest, the bay victor came in for plenty of market support and was returned at just 6/1 with Gary Carroll in the saddle.
In a share of the lead for much of the contest, he was ridden and held a definite advantage over a furlong from home, keeping on well in the closing stages to score by a length and a quarter.
Lipizzaner (4/1) finished second under Padraig Beggy for Aidan O’Brien, while Giuliana (18/1) ran on well to take third, another length and three parts behind.
McConnell, who was surprisingly registering his first success at the Curragh, said: "That's my first Curragh winner as usually if I have a good horse I stay away from the Curragh because the competition is so good but he justified coming here and was impressive.
"Colin (Keane) had done work on him during the week but had to ride for Mr O'Brien and he gave Gary advice.
"He won a barrier trial impressively and then I shouldn't have run him in Bellewstown (over a mile) and he won well in Down Royal.
"It's my first Group winner on the Flat. Shane Lyons advised me to go for this race and I doubt if he will run again this year. He's in the Foran race next week but I think we will leave that to someone else.
"He handled Dundalk well so he will have no problem on better ground.
"He's my own and I'd love to sell him. It would be great to sell him and stay in the yard.
"I wouldn't be surprised if he gets faster and faster and the dream could be something like a Commonwealth Cup."
STEWARDS REPORT
S. Foley, rider of Giuliana (GER) trained by Mrs John Harrington, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount hung right under pressure.
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
