Favorite Limato Surges Clear in July Cup

Paul Jacob's Limato found the firm going at Newmarket to his liking and unleashed a devastating rally, despite drfiting badly, to win the Darley July Cup (Eng-I) by two lengths July 9 at Newmarket.

Veering to the right inside the final furlong, the 4-year-old son of Tagula was nonetheless impressive as he ran on strongly to get the win, his first at the top level. 

Suedois, at 25-1 odds, outfinished Quiet Reflection by a head for second.

The 9-2 favorite under Harry Bentley, Limato was timed in 1:09.97 while giving the rider his first British group I victory and trainer Henry Candy his second prestigious sprint of the season following Twilight Son's triumph in the Diamond Jubilee (Eng-I) in June at Royal Ascot.

Cutting back to six furlongs in his fourth start since finishing second on less-than-ideal ground in the Commonwealth Cup (Eng-I) June 19 at the Royal meet, Limato found perfect footing Saturday and a fast pace that played to his stamina. He had speed to spare when called on and quickened away.

On Limato's wayward run inside the final eight, Bentley told Racing Post: "To do that in a group 1 and still win like that shows how good he is. I got a good position and he took me there too well. I had to come when I did and I had in the back of my mind that he stays further than six and I got away with it. He knew where he'd come out of the paddock and he's a clever sod."

Limato has placed in 10 of 11 career starts, winning seven races, including a pair of group races at Ascot and Doncaster last year. The July Cup marked his second outing of 2016; he was fourth of 12 in the Al Shaqab Lockinge Stakes (Eng-I) in May at Newbury.

Last year's Twinspires Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (gr.-IT) winner, Mongolian Saturday, was ponied to the start and was keen to race early while rating in midfield. He inside the final quarter but had no extra to sustain his command and faded to finish 11th in the field of 18.

Limato, who was bred in Ireland by Seamus Phelan, joins Canford Cliffs as one of two group I winners for his Ireland-based sire Tagula. His dam is the winning Singspiel mare Come April, whose dam is a full sister to group I winner Compton Admiral and a half sister to group I winner Summoner as well as group-placed Twyla Tharp, the dam of 2012 European champion 3-year-old filly The Fugue. 

Limato, who could go for the Sussex Stakes (Eng-I) July 27 going a mile at Goodwood, Candy said, was purchased by bloodstock agents Ross and Peter Doyle for £41,000 at the 2013 Doncaster premier yearling sale, where Weylands Stud consigned as agent.