Limato and Bentley to reunite in July Cup after surprise U-turn

In an intriguing twist Harry Bentley is set to be reunited with Limato in the Darley July Cup just weeks after losing the mount to Ryan Moore.

Bentley, who partnered Limato to July Cup success last year, was relieved of the ride by owner Paul Jacobs in the wake of a heavy defeat on yielding ground in Dubai.

But Jacobs has made the U-turn after agreeing with trainer Henry Candy that Bentley was the right man for the job on Saturday week, when Moore is unavailable as he partners Caravaggio in the Group 1 sprint at Newmarket.

Jacobs said on Monday: “I met Henry today and we had a long chat about it all. We felt all the stars were in line again to get Harry back on Limato. So I called Harry and I’m pleased to say he accepted. It wasn’t a hard thing to do. So it’s back to the future.”

Explaining his thinking, Jacobs added: "A lot of people thought it was rubbish, but that Dubai experience was so bad, and horses remember things. Mentally and physically he wasn’t himself, and we felt we should change things. We wanted to give the horse a clean break.

“But Limato's performance in the Diamond Jubilee and the way he is at home says he is over his Dubai blues. The horse has regained his mojo. Harry has just ridden a treble and I’ve been in touch with him all the way through. It felt the right thing to do.”

Asked if the association was for more than one ride, Jacobs said: “I would hope it would be a continuation.”

Bentley has not sat on Limato, who was third in the Diamond Jubilee at Royal Ascot last month, since finishing tenth of 12 in the Al Quoz Sprint in March.

Jacobs added: “Limato gets geed up when a jockey sits on him, so it’s not our intention for Harry to do so before the July Cup. But we’ll keep the option open.”

Bentley thrilled to regain ride

Bentley‘s six rides on Limato included success in the Group 1 Prix de la Foret at Chantilly as well as the July Cup. But trips further afield proved less successful for the pairing, with sixth place in the Breeders’ Cup Mile before Dubai, when cloud-seeding – and the resultant rain – was said to have been responsible for ground that did not suit Limato.

Bentley, 25, said: “I’m thrilled to be back on Limato. I would like to meet another jockey who would turn down an opportunity like this.

“I was disappointed to lose the ride in the first place, but these things happen and I tried not to get too down. It didn’t affect my confidence. I knew losing the ride was because of the saga in Dubai, and not because of my ability."

He added: “I’m now really looking forward to the July Cup. I won my first domestic Group 1 on Limato in the race last year and it was a fantastic day. I’m thrilled to renew the partnership.”