Mouthwatering Nunthorpe in prospect
A multiple winner over six furlongs, Limato demolished the field in the July Cup but will now tackle the minimum distance for the first time in his career
HENRY CANDY is far from confident about the chances of Limato in the Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes at York on Friday.
A multiple winner over six furlongs and also impressive over seven in last season's Park Stakes at Doncaster, the four-year-old kicked off the current campaign with a debut effort over a mile in the Lockinge at Newbury and was not disgraced in finishing fourth.
He returned to six furlongs for the July Cup at Newmarket and a hugely impressive display earned him his first victory at Group One level.
The Wantage-based trainer has tested his stable star over a variety of trips during his 11-race career, but he has yet to encounter the five furlongs he will tackle on the Knavesmire.
"He seems to be in good form. Mr (Paul) Jacobs (owner) has parted with a huge amount of money to supplement him, so we hope for the best," said Candy.
"I'm in favour of giving it a try, (but) I'm not at all confident.
"I think a very fast, very flat five (furlongs) might just find him out, but it's worth a try. He'll run well.
"Good horses do different things. Good old trainers used to say if they had a really good Derby winner it would win the July Cup. I know this is in reverse, but I think it's fairly true.
"It would be fantastic if he could run like he did in the July Cup - if he can transfer that to five furlongs - but the Nunthorpe is always a very exciting race."
Michael Dods fires a formidable twin assault with last year's winner Mecca's Angel joined by promising young stable companion Easton Angel.
Dods said: "She (Mecca's Angel) is in great form. Paul (Mulrennan) sat on her last week and he's delighted with her.
"Easton Angel is (in great form) as well. If we get good ground, we'll be happy. It's a good track and there are showers forecast.
"It's going to be Mecca's Angel's last season, so as long as it's not too quick we'll probably let her take her chance.
"She seems to run well fresh. She ran well in Ireland and I wouldn't really have wanted to run her since.
"Easton Angel is the opposite. She went to Goodwood and was a bit unlucky.
"She's a good filly and at this stage she's probably better than Mecca's Angel was.
"We're delighted they're both running and we're looking forward to it."
Profitable won his first three starts of the season over five furlongs, completing his hat-trick in the King's Stand at Royal Ascot, and finished fourth behind Limato in the July Cup.
Trainer Clive Cox said: "Being a Group One winner he would have carried a penalty in the King George at Goodwood over five furlongs so we took our chance in the July Cup over six.
"He ran with credit and you couldn't say he didn't stay, but he is more effective over five.
"The Nunthorpe is a very hot race - like I said, one to savour - but we are very happy with Profitable."
Yalta has to be considered a major contender for Middleham maestro Mark Johnston.
As one of only two two-year-olds in the field, the Exceed and Excel colt receives a huge weight concession from the majority of his rivals and could not have been more impressive in the Molecomb Stakes at Goodwood when he defeated stablemate The Last Lion by three lengths.
Johnston said: "I'm not sure it was a bounce back to form, more a case of us getting his trip right.
"He'd shown form over six, but looking at the size and scope, we couldn't really think he'd be better over five.
"James McDonald jumped off at Newmarket and told us to go back to five as he had incredible speed.
"I couldn't believe the Molecomb halfway through. I know how good The Last Lion is and I was staggered at the way Yalta was travelling over them
"He's an imposing, big horse, which is why we thought he might want further, but when you have so much speed the obvious thing is the Nunthorpe."
Trainer David Griffiths feels stable stalwart Take Cover is in the form of his life following his second victory in the King George at Goodwood.
Griffiths said: "He's generally got two speeds - stand still or flat to the boards!
"It was an excellent performance at Goodwood. At the furlong pole they looked to be stacking up to take him on but, when everything is right, he is so hard to pass because when they come to him he will stick his head out and find an extra gear.
"I think horses know when they've won and he's been happy, bouncing.
"I've never known him to come out of a race better."
Muthmir was sixth at Goodwood, but has won and run well at York in the past.
Angus Gold, racing manager for owner Hamdan Al Maktoum, said: "He's a good, solid horse who just needs to find a length or so. I'm sure he'll be thereabouts.
"We were a little bit disappointed with him at Goodwood, but that's the way it goes with these sprinters sometimes.
"He's capable on his day and we hope one of his days might be at York."
Danzeno has run well at Group One level on a few occasions without managing to get his head in front.
Trainer Mick Appleby said: "We are just hoping for a bit of rain to take the sting out of the ground.
"He will probably go back up to six furlongs after the Nunthorpe and go back to Ascot for the Champions Sprint."
Other contenders include last year's King's Stand and Prix de l'Abbaye winner Goldream, the Aidan O'Brien-trained Washington DC and Brando from Kevin Ryan's yard.
