McGuinness eyeing Commonwealth Cup tilt - and hoping the rain continues

The 4,000 spectators permitted to attend Royal Ascot next month may be hoping for glorious sunshine, but not Ado McGuinness.

The trainer believes exciting Commonwealth Cup hope A Case Of You will have a leading chance of providing him with a first Group 1 success – if rain arrives.

The talented three-year-old changed hands privately after landing the Anglesey Stakes for John McConnell on his final start last season, and picked up his second Group 3 in the Goffs Lacken Stakes at Naas earlier this month, the same race Caravaggio won before plundering the Commonwealth Cup in 2017.

"It's all systems go," said McGuinness of the top-priced 16-1 chance.

All smiles: a delighted Ronan Whelan after scoring in Group 3 company aboard A Case Of You at NaasCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

"He was good at Naas and I think he'll improve again. We gave him a bit of a break after he was beaten in the 2,000 Guineas Trial at Leopardstown, so we weren't overly hard on him."

He added: "The horse is in great form – he's gleaming – and we're looking forward to going across the water to take these colts on and see how good he is. You'd have to say that if we got a wet week he'd have a serious chance."

Commonwealth Cup card

The form of his winning debut for McGuinness at Dundalk in March looks even more impressive in light of recent events as he beat the rapidly improving Logo Hunter by three and three-quarters of a length while conceding 5lb. The Gary Devlin-owned colt also gave 10lb to the third-placed Mooneista, who has since landed the Listed Woodlands Stakes.

"He handled Dundalk nicely too and looking back now, that was a hell of a performance," said the trainer. "When you work him at home with the likes of Harry's Bar, it gives you a fair idea."

Ado McGuinness (left) on A Case Of You: 'He was good at Naas and I think he'll improve again'Credit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

McGuinness has four other entries for the royal meeting so far: Saltonstall, Bowerman, Laugh A Minute and Harry's Bar.

"We've entered Harry's Bar for the Group 1s and the Wokingham," said the Dublin trainer.

"His performance was very good last time, only beaten three-quarters of a length when giving 18lb to Mooneista. He could also have an entry for Cork [in the Listed Midsummer Sprint Stakes], but we'll keep in mind wherever the fastest ground is."

McGuinness added: "We'll wait until we get closer to the time to decide on our other entries. Laugh A Minute was a bit disappointing in the Greenlands Stakes when he didn't get the run of the race from off the pace."

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