Queen Anne still an option for Limato after Lockinge defeat blamed on pollen

Henry Candy is likely to persevere with Limato as a potential miler after blaming his stable star's Lockinge Stakes defeat on a downturn in the health of his string.

The dual Group 1 winner went into Saturday's Newbury race as 9-2 third favourite to claim his first win at a mile but could finish only tenth of 14, more than ten lengths behind winner Rhododendron.

View Lockinge replay and result here

"I had two runners at York and I thought they ran very poorly, and I would be very suspicious about the health of the yard at the moment," said Candy on Sunday. "I think we'll have to do a lot of scoping.

"We're surrounded by thousands of acres of oil seed rape and every plant and tree is in bloom. I think it affects horses' breathing to an extent. It happens every year, but up until now they've been flying; only this week they've had the edge knocked off them a bit.

"There's nothing to see, Limato has been worked okay, and he was happy this morning. It just take the edge off them. They travel all right until push comes to shove and then it just takes its toll a bit.

"I'd probably be inclined to totally ignore that run and carry on as normal. I'll obviously have to run a few checks on him but this sort of thing doesn't last long, it's just irritating for a couple of weeks."

Limato has gained Group 1 success at six and seven furlongs and finished third in the Diamond Jubilee and second in the Commonwealth Cup, but at a mile his form figures read 460.

Candy added: "He's in the Queen Anne and Diamond Jubilee. I think we'll probably persevere with the mile and ignore Saturday completely."

Candy's is not the only stable suffering from higher pollen rates as spring moves towards summer.

Librisa Breeze storms home to win the Champions SprintCredit: Alan Crowhurst

Dean Ivory withdrew Librisa Breeze from the Lockinge under a self-certificate, stating the horse was off colour. Last year's British Champions Sprint winner is entered in the Diamond Jubilee.

Ivory said on Sunday: "I think we're suffering from a bit of pollen around, he had a bit of white stuff coming out of his nose. You get to know these horses so well, he wasn't himself and my gut feeling was not to run him.

"It's a long season. We'll probably wait for Royal Ascot, that gives me plenty of time."

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