Limato aims for another Listed success ahead of bigger autumn targets

2.55 York
Ryedale House Garrowby Stakes | Listed | 6f | 3yo+ | RUK

Former Group 1 performers Limato and Tropics will clash in a Sunday sprint to savour at York, the Listed Garrowby Stakes over six-furlongs.

While the 2014 and 2015 July Cup runner-up Tropics, trained by Dean Ivory, is into his dotage at the age of ten and stepping out of handicap company, Limato is eyeing up back-to-back Listed successes in preparation for bigger and better targets this autumn.

Limato had fallen from grace this year after two abortive attempts at becoming a miler and a lacklustre run in the July Cup at Newmarket.

The six-year-old found redemption dropped to Listed class in the Hopeful Stakes at Newmarket last month under Martin Harley but his July Cup partner Harry Bentley is back aboard at York.

Relive Limato's Listed-race win at Newmarket last month

Trainer Henry Candy said: "Limato is in great shape and he is the one they all have to beat.

"The ground at York should be fine as they haven't had the rain on the east side of the country."

Limato's autumn campaign will again be dictated by the weather but Candy outlined four possibles including the Challenge Stakes at Newmarket, which he won last year, as well as the Bengough Stakes at Ascot.

Candy added: "He's also in the Qipco Champions Sprint at Ascot but that is late this year and there is the Foret (which he won at Chantilly two years ago) at Longchamp. Hopefully we will find one of them for him."

The six-year-old gelding has only run once before on the Knavesmire, finishing second to Mecca's Angel in the Nunthorpe two years ago.

Limato and recent Chester Listed race winner Kimberella have to defy a 3lb penalty for their wins at this level, although the Richard Fahey-trained sprinter has since finished well beaten in the Great St Wilfrid.

Tropics is making only his second appearance on turf this year, having enjoyed the all-weather at Chelmsford, racking up three wins in five starts there.

Stormbringer, who ran in last year's Gimcrack, is the only three-year-old in the field which is completed by the Declan Carroll-trained Justanotherbottle.

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