GET SET TO GO OUT ON A LIM
VERY few Flat horses have commanded as many column inches as LIMATO (Newmarket, 2.15) in recent years, but the six-year-old can let his ability do the talking in today’s Darley July Cup Stakes.
At times, Limato’s owner Paul Jacobs has become the story with a succession of high-profile jockey changes in his horse’s 21-race career. Defeats have been attributed to, among other things, high pollen count and ‘cloud seeding’ in the case of a Dubai reverse.
Hopefully there are no excuses today and Limato has the conditions he craves in the shape of proper summer ground and a decent pace to aim at, with Sands Of Mali and Spirit Of Valor in close proximity to carry him into the race.
Two outings this season over a mile in the Lockinge and Queen Anne Stakes have again failed to yield any positive outcome for the son of Tagula, who now reverts to a trip which will surely be more suitable.
Admittedly, his two career-best performances have been achieved over seven furlongs, including an authoritative win in the Challenge Stakes on Newmarket’s Rowley Course last autumn.
However, Limato was one of the most impressive recent winners of today’s prestigious sprint two years ago and he excelled last season when chasing home the high-class Harry Angel from an awkward draw in stall one.
The pace of last year’s race was far from testing, but there is the prospect of a proper burn-up this afternoon and that will suit a horse with inherent seven-furlong stamina.
Blue Point is three wins from four outings at Ascot, but possesses a less inspiring record elsewhere, and there is a school of thought that he enjoyed the run of the race in the King’s Stand Stakes.
That may be a little harsh as the time of victory was terrific and he remains a major danger.