When Limato came to Longchamp for this race 12 months ago, he did so as the hot favourite on the back of an impressive career-best success in the seven-furlong G2 Park S. at Doncaster's St Leger meeting the previous month. Undone by the draw and his own sluggishness throughout the early stages when a strong-finishing second to Make Believe (GB) (Makfi {GB}) there, the bay reappeared with a fourth in the G1 Lockinge S. tackling a mile at Newbury May 14 before the decision was made to revert to sprinting in the G1 July Cup. Back on his ideal quick summer surface, the dynamic Limato returned to woo the Newmarket crowds and register an emphatic win in that July 9 six-furlong contest after which trainer Henry Candy talked about a potential tilt at the G1 Sussex S. Instead, he went back in trip to five furlongs for the G1 Nunthorpe S. but was only second and no match for Mecca's Angel (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) on her favoured strip on York's Knavesmire Aug. 19.
Granted the inside post this time, he broke well and was able to race in a stalking third throughout the early stages in contrast to last year when he was struggling by halfway. When sparked into life by Harry Bentley at the top of the straight, he immediately made room for his finishing effort and scythed down the long-time leader Karar passing the quarter pole before drawing away to win easing down. “He had a good trip, but at one stage I was afraid he would have to make his own running,” Candy said. “He got a good lead and relaxed and looked a strong horse today, quickening very nicely. He will now possibly go to America and, personally, I'd rather he ran in the [Breeders' Cup] Mile rather than the Sprint. That decision will be for two weeks' time.” Karar's trainer Francis-Henri Graffard commented, “That was a very good performance by the horse and shows he has bounced back nicely. Now he is a gelding, he will be kept in training and has some nice days ahead.”
Limato's prospects in the Breeders' Cup Mile are enhanced by his pedigree, which features the G1 Eclipse S.-winning sire Compton Admiral (GB) and the G1 Queen Elizabeth II S. scorer Summoner (GB) (Inchinor {GB}) and G2 Ribblesdale S. winner Twyla Tharp (Ire) (Sadler's Wells). She is the dam of The Fugue (GB) (Dansili {GB}), who excelled over middle distances and stayed a mile and a half well enough when dominating the G1 Yorkshire Oaks. Come April, who also hails from the family of the G3 Craven S. winner Adagio (GB) (Grand Lodge) and GII La Prevoyante H. and GIII Glens Falls H. winner Arvada (GB) (Hernando {Fr}), has a 2-year-old filly named Limoncino (Ire) and a yearling colt by Arcano (Ire).
Sunday, Chantilly, France
QATAR PRIX DE LA FORET (SPONSORISEE PAR RMC)-G1, €300,000, CHY, 10-2, 3yo/up, 7fT, 1:21.83, gd.
1–LIMATO (IRE), 128, g, 4, by Tagula (Ire)
1st Dam: Come April (GB), by Singspiel (Ire)
2nd Dam: So Admirable (GB), by Suave Dancer
3rd Dam: Sumoto (GB), by Mtoto (GB)
(£41,000 Ylg '13 DNPRM). O-Paul G Jacobs; B-Seamus Phelan (IRE); T-Henry Candy; J-Harry Bentley. €171,420. Lifetime Record: Hwt. 3yo-Eng at 7-9.5f & G1SW-Eng, 13-8-4-0, €1,236,528. Werk Nick Rating: A++. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Karar (GB), 128, g, 4, Invincible Spirit (Ire)–In the Light (GB), by Inchinor (GB). (55,000gns Wlg '12 TATFOA; 120,000gns Ylg '13 TAOCT; €200,000 2yo '14 ARMAY). O-Al Shaqab Racing; B-James Wigan (GB); T-Francis-Henri Graffard. €68,580.[bullet ad=”mandore-purchased-by”]3–Suedois (Fr), 128, g, 5, Le Havre (Ire)–Cup Cake (Ire), by Singspiel (Ire). (€165,000 4yo '15 ARARC). O-George Turner; B-Mme Elisabeth Vidal (FR); T-David O'Meara. €34,290.
Margins: 3, HF, 3/4. Odds: 0.80, 25.20, 10.00.
Also Ran: Jimmy Two Times (Fr), Attendu (Fr), Birchwood (Ire), Harry's Son (Aus), Coulsty (Ire), Same Jurisdiction (SAf), Trixia (Fr), Moon Trouble (Ire). Scratched: Spectre (Fr). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton.
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