CANDY MAN CAN
Newsboy sweet on Henry’s star Limato in Diamond raid
LIMATO can deliver trainer Henry Candy back-to-back victories in the Diamond Jubilee (4.20, ITV) as Royal Ascot 2017 comes to a close.
Twelve months ago, Candy (left) saddled Twilight Son to land the final top-level contest of the glittering five-day fixture.
And everything is in place for Limato, known as Mr Angry in Candy’s stable, to vent his ire on his 18 rivals.
The brilliant if argumentative speedster (above) won his first Group 1 event in Newmarket’s July Cup last summer.
That was over six furlongs on quick ground – precisely the conditions Limato encounters today – and Ryan Moore’s mount is unlikely to be in a charitable mood.
LIMATO should have conditions tailor-made for his bid to land the final Group 1 prize of royal week.
Having opened 2016 with a fourth to Belardo in the one-mile Lockinge Stakes in May, the son of Tagula came back to six furlongs for the July Cup at Newmarket eight weeks later.
The results were devastating – Limato proved in a different league to his 17 rivals, having the race already secured when veering towards the stands’ rail in the closing stages, ultimately having
two lengths to spare over Suedois.
A second to Mecca’s Angel in the five-furlong Nunthorpe Stakes the following month represented a fine effort before Limato collected a second top-level prize courtesy of the Prix De La Foret at Chantilly in October.
An attempt at the Breeders’ Cup Mile at Santa Anita in November didn’t come off – Limato came home in sixth – and the ground was against my selection when 10th of 12 in the Al Quoz Sprint at Meydan in March.
On fast terrain at six furlongs, expect a different outcome today. Of the seven horses Tasleet
led home at York The last month, fifth home Tin Man
looks most likely to turn the tables.