Mile club looms for July Cup hero Limato in 2018

Limato, who ended his season on a high with success in the Challenge Stakes at Newmarket, will have a range of options for 2018 expanded to include the big mile races.

Connections will be hoping that next year Limato, who officially turns six on January 1, can lose his tag of "the rainmaker" as everywhere he was aimed, even Dubai, the heavens opened to turn the ground against him.

Trainer Henry Candy said: "He'll have all the six-furlong, seven-furlong and mile entries.

"I would love to give him a go over a mile. I can't help feeling he would excel at a mile now."

The 2016 July Cup winner has tried a mile twice before, when fourth to Belardo in the Group 1 Lockinge immediately before his Newmarket success.

Limato then led home the overseas challenge in the Breeders' Cup Mile at Santa Anita last year when the 11-4 favourite but only sixth to Tourist.

When Limato had his ground he finished second in defence of his July Cuo to Harry Angel at Newmarket and third to The Tin Man in the Diamond Jubilee at Royal Ascot.

Limato, owned by Paul Jacobs, has had a couple of months' holiday in the paddocks since Newmarket but returns shortly to build up for a summer season with any return to Dubai off the agenda.

"He's officially a rainmaker as wherever we were going with him he brought the rain," added Candy. "Next year he'll just run when it's his favoured firm ground."

Limato's form and race replays

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