With an unbeaten record comes expectation, but as the external pressure
builds it appears it becomes more comfortable for Henry Candy’s champion
sprinter elect Limato (Tagula), who heads the cast for the newly-promoted Sandy
Lane S. (Eng-G2) at Haydock Saturday.
Taking in the next step towards Royal Ascot’s inaugural Commonwealth Cup
(Eng-G1), Paul Jacobs’ gelding has already demonstrated that the winter has only
brought him on further when annexing the Pavilion S. (Eng-G3) at Ascot April 29.
That form was boosted by the subsequent Carnarvon S. success of Sheikh Hamdan
bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s Adaay (Kodiac), and his trainer believes he has
continued forward in the interim.
“He’s very relaxed this year,” Candy said. “I worked him a couple of times
last week in behind the lead horse and he needed shaking up to get there and
then he goes and does it OK. He’s a pleasure to train now.”
This should provide another test of his true merit, with Tim Easterby
saddling the May 13 Duke of York S. (Eng-G2) runner-up Mattmu (Indesatchel) who
was also second to Limato in the Redcar Two-Year-Old Trophy in October. Denied
the very soft ground he thrives in as he showed when winning the Criterium de
Maisons-Laffitte (Fr-G2) in November, James Bowers’ homebred nevertheless offers
a real standard by which to re-measure Limato.
Trainer Karl Burke puts two up against the hot favorite, with the impressive
Mill Reef S. (Eng-G2) winner Toocoolforschool (Showcasing) the obvious pick.
Only fifth in the Greenham S. (Eng-G3) on his return over seven furlongs at
Newbury April 18, the bay reverts to pure sprinting and his conditioner is
hoping he can put up a bold showing.
“We were very happy with Toocoolforschool’s run in the Greenham,” commented
Burke. “He just got a bit tired and the ground was a bit quick for him. He
should improve and we’re hoping for a big run in what is a tough race.”
Irish trainer Sabrina Harty believes her stable star Ansgar (Celtic Swing) is
ready to do himself justice on his seasonal bow in Saturday’s John of Gaunt S.
(Eng-G3) at Haydock. The seven-year-old enjoyed a magnificent campaign in 2014,
striking gold in The Minstrel S. (Ire-G3) at the Curragh, the Supreme S.
(Eng-G3) at Goodwood and the Park S. (Eng-G2) at Doncaster.
Harty, who trains a small string at the Curragh commented, “We’re looking
forward to getting started with him. He’s got good and strong over the winter —
he’s a stronger horse than last year, for sure. I’m hoping for a bit of luck
with the ground. Hopefully it stays good as he doesn’t like it soft. He’ll come
on for the run, but I’m hoping he’s fairly straight and all being well he’ll go
on to Royal Ascot after this.”
The Irish raider faces a tough task in conceding weight to all his opponents,
many being confirmed high-class horses. Other contenders in a wide-open contest
include David O’Meara’s That Is The Spirit (Invincible Spirit), a winner over
the course and seven-furlong distance three weeks ago, the highly-tried Captain
Cat (Dylan Thomas) from Roger Charlton’s yard, and the Charlie Hills-trained
Lockinge S. (Eng-G1) fifth Cable Bay (Invincible Spirit).
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