Cup double for Limato on the cards

Opportunity to join an elite band by retaining Darley

LIMATO can join an elite band by notching up back-to-back victories in the Darley July Cup at Newmarket.

Only Abernant (1949 and 1950) and Right Boy (1958 and 1959) have succeeded in defending their crown in the post-war years and if Limato is to join those two legends of the turf, he will have to conquer nine rivals, including hot favourite Caravaggio.

Indeed, on the official figures Limato has 2lb to find on Aidan O’Brien’s would-be superstar, but he can likely be judged a shade better than his recent Royal Ascot run.

Limato finished third in the Diamond Jubilee last month, with just inches separating him from reopposing The Tin Man and Tasleet.

Limato was the main victim as it all got a bit tight in the finish and while he still would not have won on what was his first start since March, it was an encouraging run.

Trainer Henry Candy believes he has progressed since that performance. Caravaggio’s stablemate GUSTAV

KLIMT lines up in the bet365 Superlative Stakes and he can take home the Group Two prize.

The Galileo colt was a bit disappointing when only fifth on his racecourse bow at the Curragh in May, but the experience was clearly not lost on him as he returned to win a maiden back at that track at the start of this month.

He won over seven furlongs that day, so the trip holds no fears for him and he can take another step up the ladder.

ABOVE THE REST has run some fine races in defeat so far this term and can enjoy his moment in the sun in the bet365 Bunbury Cup Handicap.

Mark Johnston’s VILLA TORA can strike in the BB Foodservice Novice Auction at Hamilton. With stable jockey Joe Fanning on board, he has a real chance. SELECTIONS: HAMILTON: 6.05 Villa Tora, 6.35 Dutch Dream, 7.05 Manshood, 7.35 Northwest Frontier, 8.05 Archi’s Affaire, 8.35 Belisa, 9.05 Jackie Ellis.

NEWMARKET: 1.45 Sizzling, 2.15 Gymnaste, 2.50 Maths Prize, 3.25 Above The Rest, 4.00 Gustav Klimt, 4.35 LIMATO (NAP), 5.05 Silken Dancer.